Police spoke to reporters Tuesday afternoon to update the public about the investigation into the death of Richardson, Texas, girl Sherin Mathews. The 3-year-old’s body was discovered Sunday in a culvert not far from her home.
The Richardson Police Department posted a message on its Facebook page on October 24 announcing that the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office confirmed Sherin’s identity using dental records.
Sherin’s adoptive father, Wesley Mathews, 37, was arrested for a second time and charged Monday with Injury to a Child, a first-degree felony for which he could face five to 99 years behind bars if convicted.
Richardson Police Sgt. Kevin Perlich addressed the media about the case Tuesday, saying although the medical examiner had determined that the child’s body found was Sherin’s, more tests are needed before determining a cause of death.
The sergeant said dental records were needed to identify Sherin because her body had been outside for several weeks. He emphasized the following about the charge Mathews now faces.
“The charge, whether it be a murder charge or an Injury to a Child, is a first-degree felony charge. They both carry the same penalty, which is basically a 5 to 99 year sentence. That’s what’s most important here… the penalty… that it’s actually the same no matter what the charge is.”
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According to the arrest affidavit , Mathews told police that Sherin choked while drinking milk in the garage of the family’s home on October 7. In the affidavit, he said because she didn’t want to drink her milk, he physically assisted her. The 3-year-old began to choke, cough, and her breathing became labored, according to Mathews. He stated that after feeling for a pulse and not finding one, he believed Sherin was dead.
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Sgt. Perlich told reporters that Mathews “physically assisted” Sherin in drinking her milk until she choked. In addition, during the time Sherin was in distress, Mathews did not attempt to call 911 or seek any type of medical attention for her, which resulted in the current charge against him.
The sergeant indicated that it is believed Mathews’ wife, Sini Mathews, has a medical background. He said the decision to involve her in the matter or not was Mathews’. He asserted that Richardson Police would like to speak with her but so far she has not had any discussions with authorities about what happened the night in question and has not given them her version of events. He said, “Whether she comes in or not, we’re going to move forward with this investigation.”
Sgt. Perlich noted that Sini did agree to look at the clothing found on the child’s body and provided Sherin’s dental records for a positive identification. In addition, when asked about Sini being asleep during the entire time the incident in the garage took place, Sgt. Perlich told reporters police are still investigating that.
Initially, on October 7, Mathews told police that he made Sherin stand outside at 3 a.m. as punishment for not drinking her milk. He claimed she was gone just 15 minutes later when he went to check on her. He was arrested and charged with endangering a child but was released on $250,000 bond.
According to the Richardson Police Department’s Facebook page, Mathews is currently being held on $1,000,000 bond for the latest charge.
Sherin was adopted by Mathews and Sini in the summer of 2016 from India. The orphanage that cared for the little girl said she was found by passersby after being placed in some bushes as a baby, according to the Dallas Morning News .
In Tuesday’s news conference, Sgt. Perlich stated that the Indian consulate had been in contact with Richardson Police, and are concerned with regard to the adoption process involving Sherin.
The Mathewses’ 4-year-old daughter was removed from the home by Child Protective Services (CPS) shortly after the investigation regarding Sherin commenced. According to CBS DFW , CPS had been involved with the family in the past but would not divulge further details as to why the agency was called or for which child.
At a custodial hearing Monday, the Mathewses learned their biological daughter will remain in CPS custody, as the judge postponed the hearing until November 13, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph .
The Richardson Police Department is urging anyone with any information about Sherin’s case to call 972-744-4800.
[Featured Image by the Richardson Police Department]
