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Author Topic: Sherin Mathews 3 YO, Richardson, TX Missing 10/07/17 Deceased  (Read 37193 times)
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grace-land
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« Reply #80 on: January 12, 2018, 05:29:20 PM »

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/wesley-mathews-indicted-for-capital-murder/507484185

Wesley Mathews indicted for capital murder
1:56 PM. CST January 12, 2018

DALLAS -- A Dallas County grand jury has indicted Wesley Mathews on charges of capital murder and tampering with physical evidence in the death of his adopted daughter, Sherin Mathews.

He now faces life in prison or the death penalty.

Wesley was also indicted for injury to a child, which is punishable by five to 99 years in prison, as well as abandoning a child.

His wife Sini Mathews was indicted Friday on a charge of abandoning a child. The punishment for that ranges from two to 20 years in prison with a fine up to $10,000.
 
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grace-land
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« Reply #81 on: January 25, 2018, 05:46:23 PM »

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/sherin-mathews/mathews-couple-return-to-court-friday-for-cps-hearing/500556520

Mathews couple return to court Friday for CPS hearing
10:34 AM. CST January 25, 2018

A Child Protective Services hearing for Wesley and Sini Mathews, the adoptive parents of deceased 3-year-old Sherin Mathews, will resume Friday Jan. 26.

The purpose of the 9 a.m. hearing, which was supposed to take place Wednesday Jan. 3, is for custody of their biological 4-year-old daughter. CPS removed her from the Mathews' Richardson home on Oct. 7, the day her sister Sherin allegedly went missing.
 
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« Reply #82 on: January 26, 2018, 03:34:20 PM »

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2018/01/26/sherin-mathews-parents-reportedly-give-custody-fight-dead-girls-4-year-old-sister

5 hrs ago
Sherin Mathews' parents give up custody fight for dead girl's 4-year-old sister

The adoptive parents of Sherin Mathews have given up their fight for custody of their biological 4-year-old daughter.

In a custody hearing Friday morning, Wesley and Sini Mathews stood in shackles before a judge and agreed to relinquish their parental rights — an irrevocable decision.
 
Last month, a Dallas judge blocked Sherin Mathews' parents from having contact with their surviving child after prosecutors argued that they failed to protect Sherin. The judge's ruling meant that Child Protective Services didn't have to work with the Richardson couple to reunite them with the 4-year-old girl. When the agency removes children from their homes, it typically offers the parents services such as parenting classes and counseling to help them regain custody of their kids.

CPS has custody of Sherin's sister, who has been temporarily placed with relatives in the Houston area.

Those relatives, who went through extensive background checks and home studies, plan to adopt the girl, said Marissa Gonzales, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Family Protective Services.
 
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grace-land
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« Reply #83 on: March 07, 2018, 09:30:42 PM »

http://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/sherin-mathews/what-to-expect-adoptive-parents-of-sherin-mathews-returning-to-court/287-525998312

What to expect: Adoptive parents of Sherin Mathews returning to court

Now that the Mathews are returning to court for their criminal charges, we wanted to take some of the most asked questions surrounding their case to an attorney for answers on the legal process.

Author:   Alisha Ebrahimji 
Published:   5:34 AM CST March 7, 2018 
Updated:   3:54 PM CST March 7, 2018 
 
Sherin Mathews' adoptive parents, Sini and Wesley Mathews are back in court for their criminal charges.

The two had their first court setting Feb. 20 in which a pass was granted, a new court date was scheduled for March 7 in which a pass was granted also. Their next setting is for March 22.
 
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MuffyBee
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« Reply #84 on: September 08, 2018, 09:04:13 AM »

https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/india-to-cancel-oci-card-of-sherin-mathews-parents-relatives-in-us-1913392
India To Cancel OCI Card Of Sherin Mathews' Parents, Relatives In US
September 8, 2018

HOUSTON: India has decided to revoke the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards of the Indian-American adoptive parents of Sherin Mathews, the three-year-old girl found dead in a culvert in Dallas, and some of their relatives and friends.
Counsel General of India in Houston, Anupam Ray said India is cancelling the OCI cards of Wesley Mathews his wife Sini and the couple's some relatives and close associates as public opinion in India on this issue is inflamed and travel of these people to India is not in public interest.

Manoj N Abraham and Nissy T Abraham, friends of the Mathews family, were among the first to receive a notice of cancellation of the OCI, which they have challenged in Delhi High Court.

Wesley's parents are also in the list.

"India has not forgotten this little child and in public interest, the Consulate will recommend their names for insertion in the 'Blacklist' maintained by the Government of India at the earliest,“ the Counsel General of India said.

After Houston Consulates extensive research on this case, "It has come to the knowledge of the Consulate through diplomatic and privileged sources that Manoj Abraham and Nissy T Abraham have been in close contact with the adoptive parents of Sherin Mathews before, during and after the murder," Mr Ray said.

"We would have found out more about the circumstances of this heartless murder if Abraham had cooperated in providing information."

"The case is developing in Delhi, but our position on providing visa is unchanged," Mr Ray confirmed.

Tthree-year-old Sherin's decomposed body was found in a culvert close to her home last year in October 22, two weeks after her Indian-American foster parents reported her missing.

An autopsy concluded Sherin died of homicidal violence, but how she died could not be determined due to the decomposition of the body.

Her adoptive father, Wesley originally told police he had left Sherin outside the home at 3 am to punish her for not drinking her milk. Then he changed his statement and said Sherin had choked on her milk while he tried to feed her in the garage.

He also admitted the family had gone out to dinner that night and left Sherin home alone.

The couple from Kerala had adopted Sherin from an orphanage in Bihar in 2016.

While Wesley was indicted on charges of capital murder and tampering with evidence, his wife Sini was indicted on a charge of abandoning a child.

Meanwhile, the attorney representing the mother of Sherin has withdrawn as her counsel Friday over non-payment.

Attorney Mitchell Nolte filed a motion in Dallas County and the motion was accepted.

Nolte has represented Sini, currently being held in the Dallas county jail on USD 250,000 bond, since she was arrested on a charge of child endangerment/abandoning.

According to court documents, Mathews "failed to comply with the terms of the employment agreement and has been unable to make further financial arrangements."

Earlier in August a Dallas county judge reduced the bond on three charges for Wesley.


Mathews faces charges of capital murder, injury to a child and tampering with evidence.
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MuffyBee
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« Reply #85 on: January 11, 2019, 09:08:14 AM »

I'm of the opinion Sini Mathews is too much of a flight risk for an additional bond reduction.   (my post modified to add more information)


https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/confederate-plaque-in-texas-capitol-to-come-down-after-vote/287-c5728a2e-0f25-4900-86fd-0c9f7bec9fef
Judge will decide on lowering bond for Sini Mathews Friday
The trial for Sini Mathews, the Richardson mom of Sherin Mathews, who was found dead in a culvert in October 2017 has been postponed.
January 10, 2019

DALLAS — Richardson mother, Sini Mathews, accused of abandoning her 3-year-old adoptive daughter, Sherin Mathews could potentially have her bail reduced for a second time.

Sini Mathews has been in the Dallas County Jail since Nov. 16, 2017 when she turned herself in. Bail was originally set to $250,000 and reduced to $100,000 despite questions of flight risk.

Her court setting for the bond reduction is slated for 8:30 a.m. No word on whether or not she will be making an appearance in court.
Her husband, Wesley Mathews faces charges of capital murder, injury to a child and tampering with evidence. His bond was reduced from $1 million to $500,000 on the capital murder and injury to a child charges and from $250,000 $100,000 on the tampering charge.

Sherin died of "homicidal violence" after she went missing from their family home on Oct. 7.
After extensive searches took place, her body was found in a culvert a short distance from the family home on Oct. 22.

The couple adopted Sherin from India in June 2016. She was abandoned by her biological parents in Gaya, India and was taken to a local orphanage in Nalanda. It was there where The Mathews family adopted her and brought her back to Richardson.

Wesley Mathews' murder trial is scheduled for May according to Dallas County Court records.


« Last Edit: January 11, 2019, 09:11:35 AM by MuffyBee » Logged

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grace-land
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« Reply #86 on: January 28, 2019, 02:57:51 PM »

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Parents-Of-3-Year-Old-Sherin-Mathews-Expected-In-Court-Today-504959321.html

Parents of 3-Year-Old Sherin Mathews Expected in Court Monday; Sini Mathews' Trial Date Set
By Courtney Gilmore
Published Jan 28, 2019 at 5:47 AM | Updated 2 hours ago
 
Last week, her attorneys asked the judge to reduce her bond from $100,000 to $2,500. The typical recommended bond amount for the charge of “child abandonment” is $2,500. The judge denied the request.

Sini Mathews has petitioned to have her trial separated from her estranged husband, Wesley Mathews, who is accused of capital murder in the girl's death. The state said both should be tried together because they are accused in the same "criminal episode" and that the witnesses and evidence to be presented are nearly identicial.

A decision on the separation of trials is expected on Feb. 4.

Sini's trial is currently expected to begin April 15; Wesley's trial is expected to start in May
.
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grace-land
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« Reply #87 on: February 04, 2019, 08:45:18 PM »

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Court-to-Decide-Whether-Mathews-Will-Face-Trials-Together-505306122.html

Court to Decide Whether Mathews' Will Face Trials Together; Monday Hearing Canceled
Mathews' adopted daughter, Sherin, 3, was found dead in October 2017
By NBC 5 Staff
Published Feb 4, 2019 at 9:21 AM | Updated at 12:26 PM CST on Feb 4, 2019

Attorneys for the adopted parents of Sherin Mathews, the Richardson 3-year-old who was found dead in a culvert in 2017, appeared in court Monday. The hearing, which was cancelled, was to address a decision on whether the parents would be tried separately or together.

Sini and Wesley Mathews both face charges relating to Sherin's death.

•Dallas Tour Takes Couples to 10 Luxury Wedding Venues

Wesley is charged with capital murder in her death. Her adopted mother, Sini, is charged with child abandonment for leaving the 3-year-old home alone the night before she was reported missing.

Currently, Sini's trial is set for April 15 and Wesley's trial is set for May.
 
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« Reply #88 on: February 05, 2019, 04:24:48 PM »

http://www.fox4news.com/news/sherin-mathews-parents-will-have-separate-trials

Sherin Mathews' parents will have separate trials
Posted: Feb 04 2019 11:49AM CST
Video Posted: Feb 04 2019 06:06PM CST
Updated: Feb 05 2019 05:41AM CST

DALLAS - There will be separate trials for the parents accused in the death of their 3-year-old adopted daughter, Sherin Mathews.

Wesley Mathews is charged with murder. His trial is now set for April 5. His wife, Sini Mathews, is charged with child endangerment. Her trial has been moved up to March 15.
 
Defense attorneys for Wesley wanted both parents tried together. Sini’s attorneys convinced the judge that they should be tried separately.
 
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« Reply #89 on: March 04, 2019, 03:07:04 PM »

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Charges-Dropped-Against-Sini-Mathews-Mother-of-Slain-Child-Sherin-Mathews-506551031.html

Charges Dropped Against Sini Mathews, Mother of Slain Child Sherin Mathews
By Frank Heinz and Maria Guerrero
Published Mar 1, 2019 at 11:32 AM | Updated at 10:29 PM CST on Mar 1, 2019

Sini Mathews, the mother of Sherin Mathews, the North Texas 3-year-old girl found dead in a culvert in October 2017, is a free woman after the child endangerment charges filed against her were dismissed Friday.
 
The charges against Sini Mathews were dropped Friday after the district attorney said there was not enough evidence to proceed. Had she been convicted, she would have faced between two and 20 years behind bars.

The charge was dismissed without prejudice, meaning it is possible the same or different charges could be leveled against her at any time.
 
In a letter to the 282nd Criminal District Court, the Dallas County DA wrote that "after extensive investigation it has been determined that the state cannot prove this matter beyond a reasonable doubt at this time ... the state respectfully requests that this case be dismissed without prejudice."
 
Sini's husband, Wesley Mathews, still faces a capital murder charge in connection with his daughter's death and he's being held on a $1 million bond. His trial is set for May.
 
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grace-land
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« Reply #90 on: March 11, 2019, 08:59:56 PM »

https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/foster-mother-of-3-year-old-indian-girl-dead-in-us-gets-passport-back-2005486

Sherin Mathews' Foster Mother Gets Her Passport Back After Being Released
Indians Abroad | Press Trust of India | Updated: March 11, 2019 01:35 IST

Houston: The Indian-American foster mother of Sherin Mathews has got her passport back, nearly a week after charges were dropped against her in connection with the tragic death of her 3-year-old daughter, whose body was discovered in a culvert in suburban Dallas in 2017.
 
On Thursday, a Dallas judge ordered authorities to return Ms Mathews' passport, WBAP, an AM News/Talk radio station in Dallas reported.

Defence attorney Heath Harris said the judge had little choice but to return the passport which was taken when Ms Mathews was arrested. He said Ms Mathews had no plans to go anywhere, but can do so if she chooses so.

"I am blessed," Ms Mathews, a nurse, said after the charges against her were dropped and told the media that she was looking forward to meeting her biological daughter.

"I want to thank the DA's office for dismissing the case and I am looking forward to being reunited with my daughter," Ms Mathews said.

She had lost parental rights to her biological daughter who has been adopted by her relatives in Houston. Lawyers are now reviewing options to possibly return her to her mother, Ms Mathews, the WBAP report said.
 
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« Reply #91 on: April 05, 2019, 06:02:40 PM »

https://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/trial-for-texas-dad-accused-of-murdering-adopted-daughter-sherin/article_5551fffa-54b0-11e9-bb41-a77d5f442016.html

Trial for Texas Dad Accused of Murdering Adopted Daughter Sherin Mathews is Once Again Delayed 
SUNITA SOHRABJI, India-West Staff Reporter
Apr 1, 2019

The trial for a Richardson, Texas father suspected of murdering his adopted toddler daughter in 2017 has once again been delayed.

Wesley Mathews, who faces the death penalty for allegedly murdering Sherin Mathews, 3 at the time of her death early morning Oct. 7, 2017, and then hiding her dead body in a culvert near the home, was set to go to trial on May 6. An autopsy report revealed that Sherin had died of homicidal violence.

However, a new trial date has been set for June 24. The Indian American father is being held in Dallas County, Texas jail on a $2.5 million bond.
 

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grace-land
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« Reply #92 on: April 16, 2019, 08:29:18 PM »

Document at the link

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Court-Document-Alleges-Wesley-Mathews-May-Have-Neglected-Daughter-Sherin-Before-Her-Death-508453201.html
Court Document Alleges Wesley Mathews May Have Neglected Daughter Sherin Before Her Death
Notice of extraneous offenses outlines five alleged wrongs to be presented in upcoming murder trial
By Frank Heinz
Published Apr 11, 2019 at 4:15 PM

Prosecutors building a case against Wesley Mathews say he may have previously fractured his 3-year-old daughter Sherin's leg and neglected to provide her with adequate nutrition for more than a year before her death, according to a court document filed by Dallas County Assistant District Attorney Jason Fine on Wednesday.

The document, a notice of extraneous offenses, alleges crimes, wrongs or acts that prosecutors plan to introduce as evidence in the upcoming murder trial.
 
Wesley Mathews' murder trial is scheduled to begin June 24.
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« Reply #93 on: May 29, 2019, 02:52:38 PM »

https://www.fox4news.com/news/da-sherin-mathews-father-caused-her-leg-fractures-deleted-his-browser-history
DA: Sherin Mathews' father caused her leg fractures, deleted his browser history
May 29, 2019

DALLAS - Prosecutors want the court to consider more wrongful acts when the father 3-year-old Sherin Mathews goes on trial.

Wesley Mathews is charged with capital murder for his adoptive daughter’s death. She was reported missing in October of 2017 and found a week later in a drainage culvert near her Richardson home.

After her body was found, police said Wesley admitted to moving her body. He claimed she died when he forced her to drink her milk.
An autopsy found Sherin died of homicidal violence but the specific circumstances were not revealed and the weapon is described as unknown.

Wesley’s wife, Sini Mathews, was originally charged for child abandonment in connection to Sherin’s death. In March, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office dismissed its case against her due to lack of evidence.

But the DA’s office believes Wesley committed a number of additional criminal actions. Prosecutors filed a supplemental notice of extraneous offenses to be presented during the trial.

According to the court document, Wesley “alone or with Sini Mathews” fractured Sherin’s leg and failed to disclose the injury for at least a week.

He and Sini “failed to provide adequate nutrition to Sherin Mathews from Sept. 1, 2016 until the time of her death,” the document states.

Wesley also cancelled 19 of Sherin’s physical therapy appointments, canceled 8 speech therapy appointment and didn’t show up for several more. He also didn’t show up for a Failure to Thrive Clinic appointment for the toddler.

Prosecutors claim Wesley lied to Richardson police about Sherin’s whereabouts after she was reported missing. He allegedly deleted messages between himself and his wife from his cellphone, deleted a file named “Sherin log” on his computer and deleted all internet history on his computer from Oct. 6-7, 2017, the document states.

He terminated his parental rights to his biological daughter and has never once mentioned Sherin in any letters he has written while in the Dallas County jail, prosecutors said.

Wesley remains behind bars with a bond of $1 million. His next court hearing is scheduled for June 7.
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grace-land
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« Reply #94 on: June 07, 2019, 10:52:30 PM »

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Wesley-Mathews-Appears-in-Court-for-Pretrial-Hearing-510970731.html

Wesley Mathews Appears in Court for Pretrial Hearing
By Maria Guerrero
Published Jun 7, 2019 at 1:01 PM

Prosecutors and Wesley Mathews’ defense attorneys met in court Friday morning for a pre-trial hearing.
 
There were two issues discussed in open court, including the state’s intent to bring forward evidence in the punishment phase of the trial that prosecutors say shows Sherin suffered injuries previous to her death in October of 2017.

•Dallas Businessman Braving New Depths

Dallas County Assistant District Attorney Jason Fine is asking the court to allow evidence to be presented that show Sherin suffered five fractures in a five month period, four of which were not reported by her parents Sini and Wesley Mathews.
 
Another issue the judge will decide on is whether Mathews will be shackled during his trial. Mathews was shackled at the waist and feet during the pre-trial hearing. His defense team argues Mathews has not had any disciplinary issues while incarcerated since 2017.

A Dallas County Sheriff’s Office bailiff testified on behalf of the state about the need for some kind of restraint given the charges against Mathews and because he was placed on suicide watch.

•Former Fort Worth Chief of Police Suing City

Judge Amber Givens-Davis will decide on both matters on June 11.

Wesley Mathews capital murder trial is set to begin June 24
.

If found guilty, he could face life in prison.
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« Reply #95 on: June 11, 2019, 08:13:07 PM »

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Judge-Rules-on-Wesley-Mathews-Alleged-Extraneous-Offenses-Richardson-Man-Not-Shackled-During-Trial--511129311.html

Judge Rules on Evidence to Be Permitted in Mathews Capital Murder Trial
By Maria Guerrero
Published Jun 11, 2019 at 12:02 PM | Updated at 12:05 PM CDT on Jun 11, 2019

A pre-trial hearing was held in a Dallas County courtroom Tuesday morning as Wesley Mathews' capital murder trial nears.

Prosecutors and Mathews' defense attorney heard from Dallas County District Court Judge Amber Givens-Davis regarding what will and will not be allowed to be presented to jurors.

Mathews appeared in court again on Tuesday, shackled at the waist and feet, but he will not be shackled during his trial.

The state will be able to present evidence to jurors of injuries Sherin Mathews sustained in the months leading up to her death in October 2017.
 
Prosecutors will also be allowed to tell jurors that on Feb. 24, 2017, Wesley Mathews failed to keep a scheduled appointment with the Failure to Thrive Clinic at Children's Hospital for Sherin.

Both parents, the state contends, failed to provide adequate nutrition to Sherin from September 2016 until the time of her death in October 2017.

The state will also be able to tell jurors that Mathews "provided false and misleading information to the Richardson Police Department."
 
Judge Givens-Davis ruled against two issues being brought to jurors in the punishment phase of the upcoming trial. The first, that Wesley and Sini Mathews terminated their parental rights of their biological daughter following Sherin's death. While the second is that the girl was adopted by Sini's family in the Houston area.

Jurors will also not hear that approximately eight speech therapy appointments were cancelled by the Mathews between February and August of 2017.

Wesley Mathews' defense attorneys successfully argued that it was Sini Mathews who took the toddler to therapy while Wesley was working.

A charge of child abandonment against Sini Mathews was dropped and she was released from jail.

Wesley Mathews' capital murder trial is set for June 24.

If convicted, he faces life in prison.
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« Reply #96 on: June 23, 2019, 05:41:41 PM »

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/courts/2019/06/21/murder-trial-begin-richardson-dad-accused-adopted-toddlers-2017-death

2 days ago
Murder trial to begin for Richardson father accused of killing 3-year-old Sherin Mathews

A capital murder trial is set to begin Monday for a Richardson man accused of killing his adopted daughter and dumping her body in a culvert.

Wesley Mathews, 39, faces an automatic life sentence without parole if convicted in the 2017 death of 3-year-old Sherin Mathews.
 
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« Reply #97 on: June 24, 2019, 05:08:31 PM »

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2019/06/24/sherin-mathews-father-pleads-guilty-lesser-charge-murder-trial

2 hrs ago
Sherin Mathews' father pleads guilty to lesser charge before murder trial

A Richardson man who is accused of killing his adopted daughter and dumping her body in a culvert  pleaded guilty Monday to injury to a child by omission.

His plea came as his trial on a capital murder charge was set to begin.

If  Wesley Mathews, 39, had been found guilty on the murder charge, he would have faced an automatic life sentence without parole for the 2017 death of 3-year-old Sherin Mathews.

Even after pleading to the lesser charge, he could face life in prison. But a jury could decide on a lighter sentence during the punishment phase, which got underway Monday after his guilty plea.
 
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« Reply #98 on: June 25, 2019, 05:50:55 PM »

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/crime/texas-father-wanted-to-do-something-nice-when-he-wrapped-sherin-mathews-body-in-trashbag/269-20c7e4be-ff7a-4f58-9a74-43c0dae2d28b
Texas father wanted to 'do something nice' when he wrapped Sherin Mathews' body in trashbag
The adoptive father of Sherin Mathews pleaded guilty to injury to a child by omission. He said he believed Sherin would come back to him, like Lazarus.
June 25, 2019

Updated at 4:40 p.m. Tuesday with Wesley Mathews' testimony.

Wesley Mathews didn't call 911 after his 3-year-old daughter died because he "was not ready to give up on my child," he testified Tuesday.

Mathews said he refused to believe his daughter, Sherin Mathews, was fully dead when he wrapped her tiny body in a blue plastic bag and hid it in a culvert near the family's Richardson home.

"I refused to believe that my child had completely gone from the world," Mathews testified Tuesday.

He said he believed if he "prayed hard and strong enough" Sherin Mathews might be resurrected, like Lazarus.

The father reported Sherin missing after he put her outside Oct. 7, 2017, because she wouldn't drink her milk. Her badly decomposed body was found 15 days later in a culvert.

Mathews, 39, pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser charge of injury to a child by omission in Sherin's death in October 2017. He was originally charged with capital murder.

A jury of four women and eight men will decided Mathews' fate. He faces up to life in prison. 

Mathews said he regrets his actions the night his daughter died and realizes he could have done more to help her.

"It's just not fair that my heart still beats like my child's heart is not," he said.

Dumped in a culvert
Prosecutors showed jurors photos on Tuesday of Sherin's body dumped in the culvert.

Several jurors were visibly upset seeing the photos during the second day of the sentencing trial.

"I know I wanted do something honorable, do something nice," Mathews told police of wrapping his daughter's body in a garbage bag before stowing her in the cargo area of his car.

Jurors watched recorded videos of the father describing trying to make Sherin drink milk in the hours before she died.

Wesley Mathews described leaving Sherin alone while he took his wife and biological daughter to dinner. He told investigators they had not left the girl alone before.

Once the family was home, Mathews put the girl in the garage so she would drink her milk.

He said he also threatened to put the girl outside with coyotes "to build the fear factor in her."

Sherin took a large gulp of milk and then started choking, Wesley Mathews told investigators during the recorded interview.

Then the child went silent and the father felt her body go cold and stiff.

Mathews testified he didn't wake up his wife, Sini Mathews, after their adopted daughter choked on milk, because he was trying to save Sherin.

Though Sini Mathews is a registered nurse, Wesley Mathews testified he believed there wasn't time to get her for help.

"In a very quick time, my child had gone from me," Wesley Mathews testified.

That's when he wrapped her in a bag and dumped her body blocks from the family home.

He said he didn't want his wife to see Sherin's lifeless body, and he wanted his daughter's body to remain somewhere close to him.

"I wanted it to be somewhere I could see by my house," Mathews said.

Surveillance video outside a house shows Mathews' vehicle leave his home at 4:19 a.m. and return 4:53 a.m.

Mathews told police he believed his daughter was alive but missing.

"Is Sherin alive?" an investigator asks in one of the videos jurors watched.

"Yes. Let's look for her," Mathews responds.

"She's not in the trees," the investigator says.

"We're not looking good enough... She's alive, sir. She's alive," Mathews said.

The couple adopted Sherin in the summer of 2016. Prior to her adoption, Sherin was abandoned by her biological parents in Gaya, India, and taken to a local orphanage in Nalanda.

"We get a girl with genetic conditions," Mathews told police. "We were upset. The agency was blindsided too."

Sherin was undernourished and had food aversions.

Mathews testified he wanted Sherin to drink her milk because he was afraid Child Protective Services would be called if Sherin didn't get enough to eat.

And once the child was dead, he was afraid CPS would tear his family apart.

"If I had applied common sense, my child would be with me," he testified.

He said he would still have Sherin and his biological daughter together.

"I failed my Sherin, and I failed my family," he said.

Testimony will resume in the sentencing trial Wednesday morning.

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« Reply #99 on: June 26, 2019, 04:25:49 PM »

 
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/courts/2019/06/26/trial-resume-richardson-father-dumped-sherin-mathews-body-culvert

father gets life in prison for death of 3-year-old Sherin Mathews
45 min ago 

Updated at 3:35 p.m.: Revised to include Wesley Mathews' sentence.

A Richardson father was sentenced to life in prison for doing nothing as his adopted 3-year-old daughter choked to death on the milk she didn't want to drink.

Jurors spent about three hours deliberating the punishment of Wesley Mathews, who was originally charged with capital murder in the October 2017 death of Sherin Mathews.

They were unanimous in their decision, which elicited little reaction from the 39-year-old defendant. Mathews stared straight ahead as the verdict was read and did not look at jurors.

His wife, Sini Mathews, quickly left the courthouse without commenting on the verdict. Originally charged with child abandonment, the registered nurse had her case dismissed by prosecutors who said they couldn't prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.
 
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Wesley-Mathews-Faces-Cross-Examination-Jury-to-Decide-Sentence-511839302.html
Wesley Mathews Sentenced to Life for Daughter's Death
By Maria Guerrero and Frank Heinz
Published 6 hours ago | Updated 10 minutes ago
 
Judge Amber Givens-Davis instructed the jury, made up of eight men and four women, to deliberate on the charge of injury to a child. Mathews' sentence could have ranged from probation up to life in prison.

Mathews could receive parole after 30 years.
 
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