Sherin Mathews found dead? All about case of missing 3-year-old in Richardson, Texas

This undated photo provided by the Richardson Texas Police Department shows 3-year-old Sherin Mathews. (Source: AP)

The body of a three-year old was found on Sunday, which police says is “most likely” Sherin Mathews, an Indian-American who went missing two weeks ago. Sherin, who has developmental issues and limited verbal communication skills, was last seen on October 7 outside her residence in Richardson City, Texas. She was reportedly sent outside after being punished by her foster father for not drinking her milk.

The police Sunday said the body was found in a culvert beneath a road nearly half a mile away from the Wesley’s residence. It was found with the help of search dogs. Authorities are trying to identify the body, and the cause of death.

A stretcher is moved from the location where the body of a child was found in Richardson, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (Photo via AP)

Who is Sherin Mathews?

Sherin was adopted from an orphanage in Nalanda in Bihar on June 23, 2016 by a couple based in Texas. She was called Saraswati before moving to the US. The couple, Wesley Mathews and Sini have their roots in Kerala, according to an official from the now defunct NGO.

“Saraswati was less than two-years-old when she was adopted. Saraswati lived with us for about a year after she was rescued from Gaya where she was probably abandoned by her parents,” Babita Kumari, secretary of Mother Teresa Anant Seva Sansthan, said. She added that the couple adopted Saraswati as they wanted a sibling for their other daughter, who is a year older. ‘Saraswati would eat whatever was given to her’

“All children would line up, we would offer them milk and they drank it without any fuss. Saraswati would also eat whatever was given to her. We are shocked to learn that she has gone missing,” Kumari added.

Police charges father for abandoning Sherin

Wesley, 37, allegedly told Sherin to stand under a tree at around 3 am near their residence as punishment. When he went out 15 minutes later to check on her, she was missing. He did not file a missing persons complaint until five hours later which Sgt. Kevin Perlich said was “certainly concerning”. Further, he reportedly told police he was aware of the presence of coyotes and wild dogs in the area.

Wesley was arrested by the Richardson police on the night of October 7. He was charged with abandoning or endangering a child. He was released a day later after securing a bond of $250,000. He is also required to wear an electronic monitoring device and surrender his passport to authorities.

FBI investigators search a grassy area near a ditch where a child’s body was found, as the search continued for a missing girl in Richardson, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (Photo via AP)

Indian Embassy in US tracks case

Expressing concern in the case, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted last week, “We are deeply concerned about the missing child. Indian Embassy in US is actively involved and they keep me informed.”