Judge Postpones Custody Hearing For Sister Of Sherin Mathews, 4

DALLAS, TX — Sini and Wesley Mathews appeared in juvenile court today for a hearing to ask that the Mathews' 4-year-old biological daughter be returned to the mother's custody. In light of Sunday's discovery of a child's body in Richardson, the custody hearing has been postponed three weeks. The Mathews' daughter is to remain in foster care until the next hearing.

Sini Mathews' attorney, Kent Starr, told reporters his office is representing the child's mother in matters that could arise in coming weeks, including criminal allegations. He said she has independent third-party counsel to determine the placement of the child.

"We are representing her specifically with regard to any type of criminal allegations that may or may not arise. There are none against her," he said. "She actually does have independent third-party counsel today to determine the actual eventual placement of the child."

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Starr said Sini Mathews and Wesley Mathews are not currently residing together, as per a condition of the father's bond. He said Child Protective Services is conducting a home study that will determine appropriate placement for the Mathews' other daughter. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Dallas Patch, or click here to find your local Texas Patch. Also, if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"It may be a temporary status... [Child Protective Services] may be investigating, looking into a house, looking into prospective family members — If you look at the code, the preference is to be placed with family."

Lead image via Patch/Payton Potter. Sini Mathews' attorney Kent Starr adresses reporters after a judge postponed the family's custody hearing.

Secondary image via Richardson police.