Dad of Richardson 3-year-old changes story, is charged with felony injury to a child
Police have again arrested Wesley Mathews, father of missing 3-year-old Sherin Mathews, and this time charged him with felony injury to a child.
The development Monday evening comes after police on Sunday morning found the body of a young child in a storm culvert about a half-mile from the family home. Police said the body is likely that of Sherin but are awaiting confirmation from the medical examiner’s office.
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Richardson police said Monday evening in a statement on Facebook that Mathews, 37, had voluntarily gone to the police station with his attorney and asked to speak with detectives.
“He provided an alternate statement of events from those which he had given previously, regarding the disappearance of Sherin,” the statement said in part.
Police haven’t said what part of his story has changed or how. He originally told police that Sherin went missing after he sent her outside in the middle of the night as punishment for being disobedient.
Mathews is being held in the Richardson Jail and his bail has been set at $1 million. If convicted of the first-degree felony, Mathews faces five to 99 years or life in prison.
In another development Monday, Sherin’s 4-year-old sister will stay in foster care for now.
Sherin Mathews Case Update 10/23/17This afternoon, Wesley Mathews was arrested and charged with Injury to a Child (TPC...
Posted by Richardson Police Department on Monday, October 23, 2017
CPS officials will conduct a home study before a further determination is made.
The next custody hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13.
Sherin Mathews, who has a developmental disability, was abandoned by her biological parents and left in an orphanage in India when she was 1, The Times of India reported.
Wesley and Sini Mathews adopted her about two years ago, finding her underdeveloped and malnourished, The Dallas Morning News reported.
Real-time news editor Patrick M. Walker contributed to this report.
Anna Tinsley: 817-390-7610, @annatinsley
This story was originally published October 23, 2017 at 12:22 PM with the headline "Dad of Richardson 3-year-old changes story, is charged with felony injury to a child."