Sini Mathews Arrested On Child Endangerment Charge

RICHARDSON, TX — Sini Mathews, the mother of Sherin Mathews, was arrested Thursday on a charge of Abandoning or Endangering a Child, a felony in Texas.

Detectives determined she and her husband, Wesley Mathews, left 3-year-old Sherin alone at the family's residence while the couple went to dinner with their 4-year-old biological daughter the night of Friday, Oct. 6.

A probable cause affidavit detailing events leading up to Sini's arrest states that by leaving Sherin alone at the home, Sini and Wesley placed their daughter "in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment."

Detectives used financial documents and cell phone records to prove the couple went to the restaurant without Sherin. The affidavit states a waiter at the restaurant confirmed there was only one child present with Sini and Wesley during the meal.

Wesley Mathews confirmed these details to detectives on Oct. 23. He told police he decided to leave Sherin home alone after she refused to drink milk and he grew impatient. He said he told Sini Mathews to come with him, and "she voluntarily complied without being coerced or threatened, leaving Sherin Mathews home alone in the kitchen of the house."

Wesley estimated they left Sherin alone for approximately an hour and one-half. He said Sherin was still in the kitchen when the family returned home, according to the affidavit.

Sergeant Kevin Perlich of the Richardson Police Department told WFAA Sini Mathews surrendered voluntarily at Richardson Police Department with her attorney.

"We notified the attorney that we had an arrest warrant for Sini, and they agreed to voluntarily come here to the station and turn themselves in to us," he said.

Perlich said Sini could be released if she posts bond. If she is not able to post bond, there exists a possibility that she could be transferred in coming hours or days.

The Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office continues work to determine a cause of death for Sherin.

Read Sini Mathews' arrest affidavit here. Sini's bond has been set at $250,000.

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Sherin was reported missing around 8 a.m. on Oct. 7 by Wesley Mathews. He told police he had placed her outside by a tree around 3:15 a.m. as a punishment when she would not drink milk.

He told investigators a new story after being arrested on Oct. 23. In a probable cause affidavit related to his arrest, Wesley told police he had been trying to get the 3-year-old girl to drink her milk in the garage of the home. He said the girl would not drink the milk, but eventually cooperated. He then "physically assisted" his daughter in drinking her milk, but she began to choke.

The report says she began coughing and that her breathing slowed. When the father no longer felt a pulse, he said he believed that she had died. He admitted to removing the body from the home. He was arrested and has been accused of Injury to a Child, a first degree felony.

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Sherin's body was found in a culvert near the family's home on Oct. 22. Wesley Mathews is being held in the Dallas County jail. His bond has been set at $1 million.

Wesley Mathews and his wife, Sini Mathews, appeared at a custody hearing on Oct. 23, but the hearing was rescheduled to Nov. 13. In the Nov. 13 hearing, Sini was again denied custody of her 4-year-old biological child. A new hearing was scheduled for Nov. 27.

The Mathews' 4-year-old biological daughter remains in foster care.

Image via Richardson Police Department