US cops find body, most likely of missing Indian toddler
Police in the US on Sunday found the body of a child in a culvert, which they say is “most likely” that of a 3-year-old Indian girl who went missing over two weeks ago when her foster father sent her outside alone late in the night as punishment for not drinking her milk.
Sherin Mathews, who has developmental issues and limited verbal communication skills, was last seen outside her family’s backyard in Richardson city in Texas on October 7 after her Indian-American father Wesley Mathews handed out her punishment.
The Richardson Police announced that they discovered the remains of a child in a tunnel beneath a road, expressing apprehension that it was “most likely” of Sherin. They, however, did not confirm the identity.
The body was found about half a mile from the house of her adoptive parents Wesley and Sini Mathews.
The body was found in a culvert beneath a road around 11 AM (local time) with the help of search dogs. Police have not released any details about how the child died. No arrest has been made yet, nor the body positively identified.
“It is most likely” Sherin Mathews, and her parents have been notified of the discovery, police said adding the cause of death has yet to be determined.
The child’s foster father, Wesley, 37, was arrested on October 8 on a charge of abandoning or endangering a child. A day later, he was released from custody after posting $250,000 bond.
As per an arrest-warrant affidavit, Mathews, hailing from Kerala, told police that he sent Sherin outside and told her to stand next to a large tree at around 3 AM October 7.
Mathews admitted to police that he knew coyotes or wild dogs had been seen in the alley, the affidavit said.
Some 15 minutes later, Mathews allegedly went to check on Sherin but did not find her.
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