Wesley Mathews, the Indian-American foster father of three-year-old Sherin Mathews, was sentenced to life by a judge in Dallas on Wednesday for the tragic death of the Indian toddler in 2017, in a case that attracted international attention.

Mathews, 39, pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser charge of injury to a child in Sherin's death. He was originally charged with capital murder by authorities in the US state of Texas.

Mathews stared ahead and did not look at jurors as the judge sentenced him to life in prison, US media reports said.

The 12-member jury deliberated Wednesday afternoon for about three hours before coming to a unanimous decision to give Mathews a sentence of life in the death of his adopted daughter, Sherin. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years' imprisonment.

Prosecutors argued that Mathews, hailing from Kerala, killed Sherin in October 2017. She was adopted by Mathews and his wife Sini Mathews from an orphanage in Bihar in 2016.

Mathews claimed she accidentally choked to death on milk.&nbsp;

Prosecutor Sherre Thomas argued that Mathews' testimony was just another lie. She said testimony and medical records show that it was "medically impossible for a child who is 3 years old to stand up and choke to death" as Mathews claimed.

"It means he's still a liar. It means he killed that little girl. And when he killed her, he panicked," Thomas argued, WFAA TV reported.

She said Mathews also took the time to clean up himself and turned off the location tracker on his phone to try to hide what he had done.&nbsp;

Mathews did not tell investigators where his daughter's body was. When her body was found, it was so badly decomposed that the medical examiner could not determine an exact cause of death.

"There's nothing left of her, her teeth had fallen out," Thomas said. "He covered his crime. He got away with that."

While prosecutors asked the jury to hand down a life sentence, defence attorney Rafael De La Garza argued that Mathews was a good father who panicked when his daughter choked and did not call for help.&nbsp;

He argued that prosecutors could not prove that Mathews killed his child and said he was only guilty of not calling 911, the emergency helpline.

During closing arguments, De La Garza walked over to Mathews and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"This is something he will live with for the rest of his life," the attorney told jurors.

After the verdict was read, De La Garza called the sentence "cruel and unusual punishment," WFAA TV reported.

Mathews initially told police that Sherin went missing on October 7, 2017, after he put her outside their home at 3am in Richardson, Texas because she would not drink her milk. Her badly decomposed body was found 15 days later in a culvert near the family's home.&nbsp;

His story evolved during the course of the investigation.

He initially claimed that as punishment for not drinking her milk he sent Sherin outside at 3 am to stand by a tree outside the backyard of their home.

When he checked in on her 15 minutes later, Mathews said Sherin was missing.

He later admitted she died when he "physically assisted" her in drinking the milk and got chocked.

On the witness stand during the sentencing trial, Mathews said he panicked after his daughter's accidental death. He said he wrapped her body in a blue trash bag and dumped her in a culvert so she would be near the home.&nbsp;

Thomas argued that Sherin suffered abuse the entire time she lived in the US.

Medical records show that she had five broken bones that were at various stages of healing.&nbsp;

Police charged Sherin's foster mother Sini, a registered nurse, with child abandonment in November 2017, after her husband told officials the couple left the toddler alone the night of her death while they went to dinner with their biological daughter.

Sini's case was dismissed in March this year after prosecutors said they could not prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

Sini sat in the courtroom during closing arguments on Wednesday.

After the judge read the sentence, she quickly left the courtroom without giving a comment to waiting reporters. She and Wesley Mathews were both arrested after Sherin's body was found. The couple later lost custody of their biological daughter.

Sherin's death attracted the attention of the Indian government and the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took keen interest in the case and also instructed the Indian mission in Houston to make sure that the Indian toddler received justice. India further tightened the adoption process after Sherin's tragic death.

Wesley Mathews, the Indian-American foster father of three-year-old Sherin Mathews, was sentenced to life by a judge in Dallas on Wednesday for the tragic death of the Indian toddler in 2017, in a case that attracted international attention.

Wesley Mathews, the Indian-American foster father of three-year-old Sherin Mathews, was sentenced to life by a judge in Dallas on Wednesday for the tragic death of the Indian toddler in 2017, in a case that attracted international attention. Mathews, 39, pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser charge of injury to a child in Sherin's death. He was originally charged with capital murder by authorities in the US state of Texas. Mathews stared ahead and did not look at jurors as the judge sentenced him to life in prison, US media reports said. The 12-member jury deliberated Wednesday afternoon for about three hours before coming to a unanimous decision to give Mathews a sentence of life in the death of his adopted daughter, Sherin. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years' imprisonment. Prosecutors argued that Mathews, hailing from Kerala, killed Sherin in October 2017. She was adopted by Mathews and his wife Sini Mathews from an orphanage in Bihar in 2016. Mathews claimed she accidentally choked to death on milk. Prosecutor Sherre Thomas argued that Mathews' testimony was just another lie. She said testimony and medical records show that it was "medically impossible for a child who is 3 years old to stand up and choke to death" as Mathews claimed. "It means he's still a liar. It means he killed that little girl. And when he killed her, he panicked," Thomas argued, WFAA TV reported. She said Mathews also took the time to clean up himself and turned off the location tracker on his phone to try to hide what he had done. Mathews did not tell investigators where his daughter's body was. When her body was found, it was so badly decomposed that the medical examiner could not determine an exact cause of death. "There's nothing left of her, her teeth had fallen out," Thomas said. "He covered his crime. He got away with that." While prosecutors asked the jury to hand down a life sentence, defence attorney Rafael De La Garza argued that Mathews was a good father who panicked when his daughter choked and did not call for help. He argued that prosecutors could not prove that Mathews killed his child and said he was only guilty of not calling 911, the emergency helpline. During closing arguments, De La Garza walked over to Mathews and placed his hands on his shoulders. "This is something he will live with for the rest of his life," the attorney told jurors. After the verdict was read, De La Garza called the sentence "cruel and unusual punishment," WFAA TV reported. Mathews initially told police that Sherin went missing on October 7, 2017, after he put her outside their home at 3am in Richardson, Texas because she would not drink her milk. Her badly decomposed body was found 15 days later in a culvert near the family's home. His story evolved during the course of the investigation. He initially claimed that as punishment for not drinking her milk he sent Sherin outside at 3 am to stand by a tree outside the backyard of their home. When he checked in on her 15 minutes later, Mathews said Sherin was missing. He later admitted she died when he "physically assisted" her in drinking the milk and got chocked. On the witness stand during the sentencing trial, Mathews said he panicked after his daughter's accidental death. He said he wrapped her body in a blue trash bag and dumped her in a culvert so she would be near the home. Thomas argued that Sherin suffered abuse the entire time she lived in the US. Medical records show that she had five broken bones that were at various stages of healing. Police charged Sherin's foster mother Sini, a registered nurse, with child abandonment in November 2017, after her husband told officials the couple left the toddler alone the night of her death while they went to dinner with their biological daughter. Sini's case was dismissed in March this year after prosecutors said they could not prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Sini sat in the courtroom during closing arguments on Wednesday. After the judge read the sentence, she quickly left the courtroom without giving a comment to waiting reporters. She and Wesley Mathews were both arrested after Sherin's body was found. The couple later lost custody of their biological daughter. Sherin's death attracted the attention of the Indian government and the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took keen interest in the case and also instructed the Indian mission in Houston to make sure that the Indian toddler received justice. India further tightened the adoption process after Sherin's tragic death.

Indian-American foster father sentenced to life for three-year-old Sherin Mathews' death

Community members in Dallas have planned a bench dedication ceremony and memorial service for the Indian toddler Sherin Mathews who was found dead in a culvert in mysterious circumstances in October.

The dedication ceremony for 3-year-old will be held on December 30 at the Restland Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas.

Following the memorial service, a bench dedication and dove release will take place, WFAA television station reported.

The space has been landscaped and provided by Restland as a place for the community to reflect and honour Sherin, adopted by Indian-American couple Wesley Mathews and Sini Mathews.

The dedication, mostly on park benches, provides a lasting tribute in honour of a loved one.

On October 7, an Amber Alert was issued for Sherin after her adoptive father, Wesley Mathews, called police and alerted them of her disappearance.

At that time, Wesley told police he took his daughter, Sherin, outside at 3 AM on Saturday to discipline her for not drinking her milk. According an affidavit, he told her to stand near a large tree in the backyard. When he went outside 15 minutes later, his daughter was gone.

Sherin&#39;s body was found a few weeks later in a culvert nearby the Mathews&#39; home.

David Turnblad, a family service counselor at Restland said he was impacted Sherin&#39;s story and knew he had to do something to help with the bench dedication.

Turnblad met a man named Gene met through the Nextdoor app. Gene had the bench but needed a place to put it.

&quot;The thing that I really like is that Richland Park is a very diverse neighbourhood and this crosses all the religious cultural lines, they&#39;ve all disappeared,&quot; Turnblad said. &quot;It&#39;s about the community.&quot;

Turnblad said it&#39;s not about money, its about recognising the impact that this has had on so many people&#39;s lives.

Mike Wilfong, the community outreach director for Restland said he&#39;s happy to be apart of this dedication process.

&quot;People haven&#39;t had that chance or opportunity to get together and start that process to begin to come to terms and move toward healing,&quot; he said.

On October 7, Wesley called police and reported Sherin missing. He had initially told police that Sherin disappeared overnight after he ordered her to stand outside at about 3 am for not drinking her milk. When he returned, Wesley said she had disappeared and that her location was unknown.

Wesley later changed his tune, saying Sherin choked to death after he &quot;physically assisted&quot; her as she drank her milk.

Wesley was arrested and charged with felony injury to a child, which carries a sentence of up to life in prison.

Wesley&#39;s bond is set at USD 1 million and faces up to life imprisonment if convicted of the first-degree felony. Sini&#39;s bond is set at USD 100,000 and faces up to two years in a state jail if convicted of child abandonment or endangerment.

A judge has also denied access to both Wesley and Sini to their biological daughter, now living with relatives in Houston, saying they were not fit to be parents due to what happened to their adopted daughter, Sherin.

A private ceremony was held on October 31 for Sherin. At that time, the burial location was kept a secret, considering the intense press and social media attention in the case.

On December 10, the location of the toddler&#39;s final resting place has been revealed. The headstone is located in the southwest portion of the cemetery at the Turrentine- Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas.&nbsp;

A bench will be dedicated to Sherin and white doves released on December 30

Community members in Dallas have planned a bench dedication ceremony and memorial service for the Indian toddler Sherin Mathews who was found dead in a culvert in mysterious circumstances in October. The dedication ceremony for 3-year-old will be held on December 30 at the Restland Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas. Following the memorial service, a bench dedication and dove release will take place, WFAA television station reported. The space has been landscaped and provided by Restland as a place for the community to reflect and honour Sherin, adopted by Indian-American couple Wesley Mathews and Sini Mathews. The dedication, mostly on park benches, provides a lasting tribute in honour of a loved one. On October 7, an Amber Alert was issued for Sherin after her adoptive father, Wesley Mathews, called police and alerted them of her disappearance. At that time, Wesley told police he took his daughter, Sherin, outside at 3 AM on Saturday to discipline her for not drinking her milk. According an affidavit, he told her to stand near a large tree in the backyard. When he went outside 15 minutes later, his daughter was gone. Sherin's body was found a few weeks later in a culvert nearby the Mathews' home. David Turnblad, a family service counselor at Restland said he was impacted Sherin's story and knew he had to do something to help with the bench dedication. Turnblad met a man named Gene met through the Nextdoor app. Gene had the bench but needed a place to put it. "The thing that I really like is that Richland Park is a very diverse neighbourhood and this crosses all the religious cultural lines, they've all disappeared," Turnblad said. "It's about the community." Turnblad said it's not about money, its about recognising the impact that this has had on so many people's lives. Mike Wilfong, the community outreach director for Restland said he's happy to be apart of this dedication process. "People haven't had that chance or opportunity to get together and start that process to begin to come to terms and move toward healing," he said. On October 7, Wesley called police and reported Sherin missing. He had initially told police that Sherin disappeared overnight after he ordered her to stand outside at about 3 am for not drinking her milk. When he returned, Wesley said she had disappeared and that her location was unknown. Wesley later changed his tune, saying Sherin choked to death after he "physically assisted" her as she drank her milk. Wesley was arrested and charged with felony injury to a child, which carries a sentence of up to life in prison. Wesley's bond is set at USD 1 million and faces up to life imprisonment if convicted of the first-degree felony. Sini's bond is set at USD 100,000 and faces up to two years in a state jail if convicted of child abandonment or endangerment. A judge has also denied access to both Wesley and Sini to their biological daughter, now living with relatives in Houston, saying they were not fit to be parents due to what happened to their adopted daughter, Sherin. A private ceremony was held on October 31 for Sherin. At that time, the burial location was kept a secret, considering the intense press and social media attention in the case. On December 10, the location of the toddler's final resting place has been revealed. The headstone is located in the southwest portion of the cemetery at the Turrentine- Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas.

US: Dedication ceremony, memorial service planned for Sherin

In a recent court hearing, a judge ruled against the foster parents of deceased 3-year-old Sherin Mathews, stripping off their rights to see their 4-year-old biological daughter for now. Three-year-old Sherin was reported missing on October 7 and later found dead about 1 km from her home in suburban Dallas on October 22 during an ongoing search for her.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sherin-mathews-had-injuries-broken-bones-much-before-death-doctor-25488" target="_blank">Sherin was adopted</a> by Wesley and Sini Mathews, an Indian-American couple, from an orphanage in India last year. Wesley, 37 and Sini Mathews, 35, lost custody of their biological child soon after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/sherin-mathews-body-released-6412" target="_blank">Sherin went missing</a>.

The Mathews couple was attempting to retain the visitation rights for their 4-year-old biological daughter after Sherin&#39;s death. As per a recent court hearing, the couple has now been denied to see their biological child on as they were deemed unfit as parents owing to what happened to Sherin. The 4-year-old will remain to live with her relatives outside Houston. A hearing to determine a permanent cutoff of parental rights will likely take place in 2018.

In the meanwhile, the couple is still entitled to a civil trial and has not lost parental rights, however, they will not receive help from the state to regain custody of their daughter. They remain in detention in Dallas County jail.&nbsp;

The Richardson Police Department in the US state of Texas and the FBI continue to investigate the toddler&#39;s death. The cause of death has not yet been determined by the medical examiner&#39;s office. 
Wesley was arrested and charged with felony injury to a child, which carries a sentence of up to life in prison.

Sini, who is behind bars on child endangerment charges, had her bond reduced from USD 250,000 to USD 100,000.&nbsp;

Sini Mathews was arrested on charges of child endangerment after the death of Sherin. Investigators reported the fact that Sini had left Sherin home alone while she went for dinner along with rest of her family; Sherin was reported missing the following day. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/missing-indian-girl-in-us-foster-father-arrested-after-he-changes-story-22845" target="_blank">Wesley Mathews</a>, on the other hand, is facing more serious charges of inflicting injury to a child. Police confirmed Wesley confessing to them that Sherin died choking on milk that he forced her to drink and also admitted to moving her body.&nbsp;

A series of testimonies offered by a doctor, a police detective and a CPS investigator unearthed more facts revolving around Sherin&#39;s upbringing and her treatment by the Mathews couple. According to CPS investigator Kelly Mitchell, the couple had a different connection with Sherin than they had with their biological daughter. While all slept in one bedroom, Sherin slept in a crib in the same room, he added.&nbsp;

Jules Farmer of Richardson police, the lead detective on the case discussed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/shocking-admission-by-sherin-mathews-father-6272" target="_blank">Wesley&#39;s statements</a> to police. He revealed that Wesley got frustrated when Sherin wouldn&#39;t or couldn&#39;t drink her milk and so he forced her to drink and she choked. &quot;He said he was holding her when she died, stroking her because she was cold and he was trying to warm her up. He said he wrapped her in a blanket and put her in the culvert -- though he intended to return to give her a proper burial,&quot; Farmer was quoted by an AFP report.&nbsp;

The couple invoked their Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination and has refused to answer questions throughout the hearing.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

Three-year-old Sherin Mathews was reported missing on October 7 and later found dead about 1 km from her home in suburban Dallas on October 22

In a recent court hearing, a judge ruled against the foster parents of deceased 3-year-old Sherin Mathews, stripping off their rights to see their 4-year-old biological daughter for now. Three-year-old Sherin was reported missing on October 7 and later found dead about 1 km from her home in suburban Dallas on October 22 during an ongoing search for her. Sherin was adopted by Wesley and Sini Mathews, an Indian-American couple, from an orphanage in India last year. Wesley, 37 and Sini Mathews, 35, lost custody of their biological child soon after Sherin went missing. The Mathews couple was attempting to retain the visitation rights for their 4-year-old biological daughter after Sherin's death. As per a recent court hearing, the couple has now been denied to see their biological child on as they were deemed unfit as parents owing to what happened to Sherin. The 4-year-old will remain to live with her relatives outside Houston. A hearing to determine a permanent cutoff of parental rights will likely take place in 2018. In the meanwhile, the couple is still entitled to a civil trial and has not lost parental rights, however, they will not receive help from the state to regain custody of their daughter. They remain in detention in Dallas County jail. The Richardson Police Department in the US state of Texas and the FBI continue to investigate the toddler's death. The cause of death has not yet been determined by the medical examiner's office. Wesley was arrested and charged with felony injury to a child, which carries a sentence of up to life in prison. Sini, who is behind bars on child endangerment charges, had her bond reduced from USD 250,000 to USD 100,000. Sini Mathews was arrested on charges of child endangerment after the death of Sherin. Investigators reported the fact that Sini had left Sherin home alone while she went for dinner along with rest of her family; Sherin was reported missing the following day. Wesley Mathews, on the other hand, is facing more serious charges of inflicting injury to a child. Police confirmed Wesley confessing to them that Sherin died choking on milk that he forced her to drink and also admitted to moving her body. A series of testimonies offered by a doctor, a police detective and a CPS investigator unearthed more facts revolving around Sherin's upbringing and her treatment by the Mathews couple. According to CPS investigator Kelly Mitchell, the couple had a different connection with Sherin than they had with their biological daughter. While all slept in one bedroom, Sherin slept in a crib in the same room, he added. Jules Farmer of Richardson police, the lead detective on the case discussed Wesley's statements to police. He revealed that Wesley got frustrated when Sherin wouldn't or couldn't drink her milk and so he forced her to drink and she choked. "He said he was holding her when she died, stroking her because she was cold and he was trying to warm her up. He said he wrapped her in a blanket and put her in the culvert -- though he intended to return to give her a proper burial," Farmer was quoted by an AFP report. The couple invoked their Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination and has refused to answer questions throughout the hearing. (With inputs from PTI)

Indian girl found dead in US: Foster parents lose right to see biological daughter

Sherin Mathews, the 3-year-old Indian girl who was found dead in a culvert after being reported missing by her<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/missing-indian-girl-in-us-foster-father-arrested-after-he-changes-story-22845"> foster father</a>, had a series of broken bones and injuries in various stages of healing, a doctor testified before the court.

Sherin, reported missing on October 7, was found dead in a culvert about 1 km from her home in suburban Dallas on October 22. Her autopsy report is still awaited.

She was adopted by the Indian-American couple, Wesley and Sini Mathews, from an orphanage in India last year. Her adoptive parents lost custody of their biological child after Sherin went missing.

He parents appeared before a court yesterday for a long Child Protective Services (CPS) custody hearing about their biological daughter, currently living with family in the Houston-area.

Wesley was brought via van to the courthouse. He is expected to either surrender his parental rights for his 4- year-old daughter or have them terminated by the state.

Sini, who aims to regain custody of her biological daughter, 4, sought right to visit her biological daughter.

Sini took to the witness stand first, but invoked her fifth amendment right not to incriminate herself many times during questioning. One exception came when she was asked if she is trained a nurse&nbsp;to which she responded, &quot;yes&quot;.

When Wesley took the stand, he opted to invoke his fifth amendment right as well and answered no questions pertaining to Sherin&#39;s death or disappearance.

Prosecution pressed Sini about former CPS involvement, alleging Sherin formerly had a broken femur, elbow and tibia, but she did not confirm the allegations.

The prosecution called to the stand a pediatrician and child abuse expert, Susan Dakil of Referral and Evaluation of At Risk Children Clinic, who testified that the injuries were visible in various X-ray scans taken in September 2016 and February 2017. Dakil said the scans suggest the injuries were inflicted after Sherin was adopted from India.

The X-rays from February showed that fractures in Sherin&#39;s tibia and femur were in different stages of healing, WFAA reported.

The pattern of injuries led Dakil to believe that Sherin was injured on separate occasions, but Dakil could not say when they occurred. The doctor filed a report with Child Protective Services after seeing the X-rays, the station reported.

The hearing, which ended for the week, will resume on Tuesday. Two more witnesses are scheduled to take the stand.

Sini, who is behind bars on child endangerment charges, had her bond reduced from USD 250,000 to USD 100,000 on Monday.

Wesley was arrested and charged with felony injury to a child, which carries a sentence of up to life in prison. He is still in the Dallas County jail on a USD 1 million bond.&nbsp;

A child abuse expert testified that the injuries were visible in various X-ray scans taken in September 2016 and February 2017

Sherin Mathews, the 3-year-old Indian girl who was found dead in a culvert after being reported missing by her foster father, had a series of broken bones and injuries in various stages of healing, a doctor testified before the court. Sherin, reported missing on October 7, was found dead in a culvert about 1 km from her home in suburban Dallas on October 22. Her autopsy report is still awaited. She was adopted by the Indian-American couple, Wesley and Sini Mathews, from an orphanage in India last year. Her adoptive parents lost custody of their biological child after Sherin went missing. He parents appeared before a court yesterday for a long Child Protective Services (CPS) custody hearing about their biological daughter, currently living with family in the Houston-area. Wesley was brought via van to the courthouse. He is expected to either surrender his parental rights for his 4- year-old daughter or have them terminated by the state. Sini, who aims to regain custody of her biological daughter, 4, sought right to visit her biological daughter. Sini took to the witness stand first, but invoked her fifth amendment right not to incriminate herself many times during questioning. One exception came when she was asked if she is trained a nurse to which she responded, "yes". When Wesley took the stand, he opted to invoke his fifth amendment right as well and answered no questions pertaining to Sherin's death or disappearance. Prosecution pressed Sini about former CPS involvement, alleging Sherin formerly had a broken femur, elbow and tibia, but she did not confirm the allegations. The prosecution called to the stand a pediatrician and child abuse expert, Susan Dakil of Referral and Evaluation of At Risk Children Clinic, who testified that the injuries were visible in various X-ray scans taken in September 2016 and February 2017. Dakil said the scans suggest the injuries were inflicted after Sherin was adopted from India. The X-rays from February showed that fractures in Sherin's tibia and femur were in different stages of healing, WFAA reported. The pattern of injuries led Dakil to believe that Sherin was injured on separate occasions, but Dakil could not say when they occurred. The doctor filed a report with Child Protective Services after seeing the X-rays, the station reported. The hearing, which ended for the week, will resume on Tuesday. Two more witnesses are scheduled to take the stand. Sini, who is behind bars on child endangerment charges, had her bond reduced from USD 250,000 to USD 100,000 on Monday. Wesley was arrested and charged with felony injury to a child, which carries a sentence of up to life in prison. He is still in the Dallas County jail on a USD 1 million bond.

Indian girl found dead in US had broken bones, injuries much before death: Doctor

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has requested Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi to probe the adoption process of 3-year-old Sherin Mathews, whose body was found in a culvert in suburban Dallas in the US. 
 
Sherin went missing on October 7 and her body was found on Sunday from a culvert in suburban Dallas, Texas. 
 
Her father Wesley Mathews, 37, was re-arrested on Monday and charged with first-degree felony injury to a child due to conflicting statements given to the police. 
 
He was earlier arrested for suspected child endangerment for the treatment of his daughter but was released on bond. 
 
External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj wrote on Twitter that she had asked for a probe into the adoption process.

Sushma Swaraj said that the investigation into the case should be taken to a logical conclusion and that henceforth all passports for adopted children will be issued only after an approval from the ministry of women and child development.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I have requested <a href="https://twitter.com/Manekagandhibjp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Manekagandhibjp</a> Minister for Women and Child Development for a thorough investigation into the adoption process of /1
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/923888368617844736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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After Baby Saraswati @ Sherin Mathews&#39; case, we have taken a decision that Passports for <a href="https://t.co/TDYw4n1x8B">pic.twitter.com/TDYw4n1x8B</a> <a href="https://t.co/jNdPQYLcSm">https://t.co/jNdPQYLcSm</a>
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/923890949138276354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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adopted children will be issued only with prior clearance by Ministry of Child Development in all cases. /2
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/923891352865140736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The nodal body for adoption in India, Child Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), has also written to US Central Authority for Hague Adoption seeking details into Sherin&#39;s death, according to sources.

An official said that CARA received timely reports from the adoption agency in the US which was overseeing the Sherin Mathews case.

Four reports were sent to CARA by Holt International since her adoption on July 8, 2016.

These reports described how the girl was &quot;adjusting well&quot; in her new home and appeared to be &quot;secure and comfortable&quot; in the new surroundings.

However, according to these assessments, Sherin seemed to have eating problems.

One of the follow-ups records that &quot;eating has become more and more challenging for the family&quot;. &quot;She likes to eat food outside but not at home&quot;.

The fourth, and the last report before Sherin&#39;s death, notes, &quot;We discussed several different strategies that may be helpful&quot; and that &quot;additional mealtime strategies are needed to break this cycle and avoid more serious longterm eating concerns&quot;.

According to CARA CEO Lt Col Deepak Kumar, the child was undernourished right from the time she was adopted and weighed less for a girl at her age.

The girl was born on July 14, 2014 and was surrendered by parents in Gaya, Bihar. She was sent to an orphanage, Nalanda Mother Teresa Anaath Seva Ashram, which is now shut, the CARA CEO said.&nbsp;

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has requested Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi to probe the adoption process

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has requested Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi to probe the adoption process of 3-year-old Sherin Mathews, whose body was found in a culvert in suburban Dallas in the US. Sherin went missing on October 7 and her body was found on Sunday from a culvert in suburban Dallas, Texas. Her father Wesley Mathews, 37, was re-arrested on Monday and charged with first-degree felony injury to a child due to conflicting statements given to the police. He was earlier arrested for suspected child endangerment for the treatment of his daughter but was released on bond. External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj wrote on Twitter that she had asked for a probe into the adoption process. Sushma Swaraj said that the investigation into the case should be taken to a logical conclusion and that henceforth all passports for adopted children will be issued only after an approval from the ministry of women and child development. I have requested @Manekagandhibjp Minister for Women and Child Development for a thorough investigation into the adoption process of /1 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 27, 2017 × After Baby Saraswati @ Sherin Mathews' case, we have taken a decision that Passports for pic.twitter.com/TDYw4n1x8B https://t.co/jNdPQYLcSm — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 27, 2017 × adopted children will be issued only with prior clearance by Ministry of Child Development in all cases. /2 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 27, 2017 × The nodal body for adoption in India, Child Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), has also written to US Central Authority for Hague Adoption seeking details into Sherin's death, according to sources. An official said that CARA received timely reports from the adoption agency in the US which was overseeing the Sherin Mathews case. Four reports were sent to CARA by Holt International since her adoption on July 8, 2016. These reports described how the girl was "adjusting well" in her new home and appeared to be "secure and comfortable" in the new surroundings. However, according to these assessments, Sherin seemed to have eating problems. One of the follow-ups records that "eating has become more and more challenging for the family". "She likes to eat food outside but not at home". The fourth, and the last report before Sherin's death, notes, "We discussed several different strategies that may be helpful" and that "additional mealtime strategies are needed to break this cycle and avoid more serious longterm eating concerns". According to CARA CEO Lt Col Deepak Kumar, the child was undernourished right from the time she was adopted and weighed less for a girl at her age. The girl was born on July 14, 2014 and was surrendered by parents in Gaya, Bihar. She was sent to an orphanage, Nalanda Mother Teresa Anaath Seva Ashram, which is now shut, the CARA CEO said.

Three-year-old Texas girl murder: Sushma Swaraj asks for probe into adoption process

Just a day after the body of three-year-old, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/missing-indian-girl-in-us-foster-father-arrested-after-he-changes-story-22845">Sherin Mathews, was discovered&nbsp;in Richardson, Texas, police informed</a> that the father,&nbsp;Wesley Mathews, altered&nbsp;his statement and admitted&nbsp;that he had &ldquo;removed the body&rdquo; of his adopted daughter from his house after she choked to death on milk.

Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the <a href="http://body?discovered?by officers and search dogs while">body&nbsp;discovered&nbsp;by officers and search dogs while </a>inspecting&nbsp;a culvert near Spring Valley, just half a mile away from Sherin&#39;s&nbsp;home in a tunnel beneath a road,&nbsp;was&nbsp;her&#39;s.&nbsp;

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Wesley Mathews, who hails from Kerala, was booked into the Richardson City Jail on a USD one million bond. (Others)
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&nbsp;

Mathews releaved in a police report&nbsp;that&nbsp;his daughter &ldquo;wouldn&rsquo;t listen to him&rdquo; when he initially tried to feed her milk. After she began to drink it&nbsp;on her own, Mathews &ldquo;physically assisted&rdquo; her until she &ldquo;began to choke,&rdquo; said the police on Tuesday.

&ldquo;She was coughing and her breathing slowed,&rdquo; the authorities informed. &ldquo;Eventually, Wesley Mathews no longer felt a pulse on the child and believed she had died.&rdquo;

Mathews had initially&nbsp;claimed that Sherin went missing after he sent her outside their home at around 3 am on October 7 as punishment for not drinking her milk.

Wesley has been charged with&nbsp;first-degree felony injury to a child and is held on a bond of $1 million. He is reportedly lodged in Richardson City Jail.

State Child Protective Services took&nbsp;Wesley and his wife, Sini Mathews&#39;, 4-year-old biological daughter from their home shortly&nbsp;after Sherin was announced&nbsp;missing. The&nbsp;judge told&nbsp;that the girl will remain in foster care until a custody hearing in November.

Just a day after the body of three-year-old was discovered,?Wesley Mathews altered?his statement and admitted?that he had ?removed the body? of his adopted daughter from his house

Just a day after the body of three-year-old, Sherin Mathews, was discovered in Richardson, Texas, police informed that the father, Wesley Mathews, altered his statement and admitted that he had “removed the body” of his adopted daughter from his house after she choked to death on milk. Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the body discovered by officers and search dogs while inspecting a culvert near Spring Valley, just half a mile away from Sherin's home in a tunnel beneath a road, was her's. Wesley Mathews, who hails from Kerala, was booked into the Richardson City Jail on a USD one million bond. (Others) × Mathews releaved in a police report that his daughter “wouldn’t listen to him” when he initially tried to feed her milk. After she began to drink it on her own, Mathews “physically assisted” her until she “began to choke,” said the police on Tuesday. “She was coughing and her breathing slowed,” the authorities informed. “Eventually, Wesley Mathews no longer felt a pulse on the child and believed she had died.” Mathews had initially claimed that Sherin went missing after he sent her outside their home at around 3 am on October 7 as punishment for not drinking her milk. Wesley has been charged with first-degree felony injury to a child and is held on a bond of $1 million. He is reportedly lodged in Richardson City Jail. State Child Protective Services took Wesley and his wife, Sini Mathews', 4-year-old biological daughter from their home shortly after Sherin was announced missing. The judge told that the girl will remain in foster care until a custody hearing in November.

Missing 3-year-old choked to death on milk, her foster father tells police

The foster father of a missing 3- year-old Indian girl was today arrested and charged with first-degree felony injury to a child after he changed his story about the circumstances surrounding her mysterious disappearance over two weeks ago.

Wesley Mathews, 37, was arrested after the Indian- American changed his story about his adoptive daughter Sherin Mathew&#39;s disappearance from outside their home in suburban Dallas in Texas state.

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<h5>Mathews has been charged with first-degree felony injury to a child</h5>
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Mathews had previously claimed that Sherin went missing after he sent her outside their home at around 3 am on October 7 as punishment for not drinking her milk.

Yesterday, the Richardson Police announced that they discovered the remains of a small child in a tunnel beneath a road, expressing apprehension that it was &quot;most likely&quot; that of Sherin. They, however, did not confirm the identity.

&quot;He voluntarily arrived at the Richardson Police Station with his attorney and asked to speak with detectives. He provided an alternate statement of events from those which he had given previously, regarding the disappearance of Sherin,&quot; Richardson Police Department Spokesman Sergeant Kevin Perlich said.

The particulars of his statements that might have led to the charge have not yet been explained by authorities.

Mathews, who hails from Kerala, was booked into the Richardson City Jail on a USD one million bond.

The father was previously arrested and charged with felony endangerment to a child and was placed on electronic ankle monitoring. He surrendered his passport as a condition of making bond on October 9. He was later released.

First-degree felony injury to a child is punishable by up to life imprisonment or from five to 99 years in prison, US media reported.

Sherin, who has developmental issues and limited verbal communication skills, was last seen outside her family&#39;s backyard in Richardson city on October 7.

Mathews and his wife Sini reportedly adopted Sherin two years ago from an orphanage in Bihar.

The body of a small child was discovered in a culvert beneath a road with the help of search dogs. Police have not released any details about how the child died. The body was found about one km from the house of Mathews.

&quot;We are still awaiting a positive identification from the Dallas County Medical Examiners office for the child&#39;s body found yesterday, believed to be Sherin Mathews,&quot; Perlich said.

Child Protective Services took custody of the Indian-American couple&#39;s other biological daughter shortly after Mathews was arrested.

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Wesley Mathews, who hails from Kerala, was booked into the Richardson City Jail on a USD one million bond. (Others)
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Sini Mathews, the girl&#39;s mother does not face any charges. She was in the house at the time, but was reportedly asleep and unaware of what her husband was doing, police had said earlier.

Earlier in the day Mathews and his wife, Sini, attended a court hearing to determine whether they could regain custody of their 4-year-old biological daughter who was placed in protective custody after Sherin went missing.

But the judge at a Dallas County court decided that the older sibling of Sherin will remain in foster care for at least three more weeks.

The judge postponed custody hearing until November 13 to allow Mathews to hire a civil attorney.

The girl will remain in foster care until that hearing or until a judge orders a change in custody, said Marissa Gonzales, a spokeswoman for Child Protective Services.

&quot;We do have the names of some relatives who have expressed interest in taking care of her,&quot; Gonzales said.

&quot;We can begin looking into those relatives, but it is entirely up to the judge where she is placed,&quot; she said.

On Monday evening, people gathered near the culvert where police found the body of a small child.

Many people expressed shock at the father&#39;s second arrest.

&quot;Justice should be done for this little child,&quot; said Indian-American Anthony Sabu. &quot;This little child has gone through the worst things in her life. She was abandoned when she was born and this family adopted her, and this is not what we expected,&quot; Sabu was quoted as saying by NBC News.

Sherin&#39;s case also caught the attention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

&quot;We are deeply concerned about the missing child. Indian Embassy in US is actively involved and they keep me informed,&quot; Swaraj tweeted on October 19.

&quot;We are closely monitoring the Sherin Mathews case. We have established contact with the community and authorities,&quot; India&#39;s Consul General in Houston, Anupam Ray had tweeted.&nbsp;

Wesley Mathews had previously claimed Sherin had gone missing after he sent her outside at around 3 am on October 7 as punishment for not drinking her milk

The foster father of a missing 3- year-old Indian girl was today arrested and charged with first-degree felony injury to a child after he changed his story about the circumstances surrounding her mysterious disappearance over two weeks ago. Wesley Mathews, 37, was arrested after the Indian- American changed his story about his adoptive daughter Sherin Mathew's disappearance from outside their home in suburban Dallas in Texas state. Mathews has been charged with first-degree felony injury to a child × Mathews had previously claimed that Sherin went missing after he sent her outside their home at around 3 am on October 7 as punishment for not drinking her milk. Yesterday, the Richardson Police announced that they discovered the remains of a small child in a tunnel beneath a road, expressing apprehension that it was "most likely" that of Sherin. They, however, did not confirm the identity. "He voluntarily arrived at the Richardson Police Station with his attorney and asked to speak with detectives. He provided an alternate statement of events from those which he had given previously, regarding the disappearance of Sherin," Richardson Police Department Spokesman Sergeant Kevin Perlich said. The particulars of his statements that might have led to the charge have not yet been explained by authorities. Mathews, who hails from Kerala, was booked into the Richardson City Jail on a USD one million bond. The father was previously arrested and charged with felony endangerment to a child and was placed on electronic ankle monitoring. He surrendered his passport as a condition of making bond on October 9. He was later released. First-degree felony injury to a child is punishable by up to life imprisonment or from five to 99 years in prison, US media reported. Sherin, who has developmental issues and limited verbal communication skills, was last seen outside her family's backyard in Richardson city on October 7. Mathews and his wife Sini reportedly adopted Sherin two years ago from an orphanage in Bihar. The body of a small child was discovered in a culvert beneath a road with the help of search dogs. Police have not released any details about how the child died. The body was found about one km from the house of Mathews. "We are still awaiting a positive identification from the Dallas County Medical Examiners office for the child's body found yesterday, believed to be Sherin Mathews," Perlich said. Child Protective Services took custody of the Indian-American couple's other biological daughter shortly after Mathews was arrested. Wesley Mathews, who hails from Kerala, was booked into the Richardson City Jail on a USD one million bond. (Others) × Sini Mathews, the girl's mother does not face any charges. She was in the house at the time, but was reportedly asleep and unaware of what her husband was doing, police had said earlier. Earlier in the day Mathews and his wife, Sini, attended a court hearing to determine whether they could regain custody of their 4-year-old biological daughter who was placed in protective custody after Sherin went missing. But the judge at a Dallas County court decided that the older sibling of Sherin will remain in foster care for at least three more weeks. The judge postponed custody hearing until November 13 to allow Mathews to hire a civil attorney. The girl will remain in foster care until that hearing or until a judge orders a change in custody, said Marissa Gonzales, a spokeswoman for Child Protective Services. "We do have the names of some relatives who have expressed interest in taking care of her," Gonzales said. "We can begin looking into those relatives, but it is entirely up to the judge where she is placed," she said. On Monday evening, people gathered near the culvert where police found the body of a small child. Many people expressed shock at the father's second arrest. "Justice should be done for this little child," said Indian-American Anthony Sabu. "This little child has gone through the worst things in her life. She was abandoned when she was born and this family adopted her, and this is not what we expected," Sabu was quoted as saying by NBC News. Sherin's case also caught the attention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. "We are deeply concerned about the missing child. Indian Embassy in US is actively involved and they keep me informed," Swaraj tweeted on October 19. "We are closely monitoring the Sherin Mathews case. We have established contact with the community and authorities," India's Consul General in Houston, Anupam Ray had tweeted.

Missing Indian girl in US: Foster father arrested after he changes story

Police in the US today discovered the body of a child, which they say is &quot;most likely&quot; of a three-year-old Indian girl who went missing two weeks ago.

Sherin Mathews, who has developmental issues and limited verbal communication skills, was last seen outside her family&#39;s backyard in Richardson city in Texas on October 7 after her foster father reportedly upbraided her and sent her alone outside late at night as punishment for not finishing her milk.

The Richardson Police announced that they discovered the remains of a child in a tunnel beneath a road, expressing apprehension that it was &quot;most likely&quot; of Sherin. They, however, did not confirm the identity.

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<h5>Sherin has developmental issues and limited verbal communication skills</h5>
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Sherin&#39;s body was found about half a mile from the house of her adoptive parents Wesley and Sini Mathews.

As part of their search operation, officers blocked off an area near Spring Valley and Bowser roads, east of Central Expressway.

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.

They, however, indicated they had no reason to believe that the body of a different child had been found. The identification process was underway. The medical examiner was working to determine the cause of death.

The child&#39;s foster father, Wesley Mathews, 37, was arrested on a charge of abandoning or endangering a child. A day later, he was released from custody after posting USD 250,000 bond.

As per an arrest-warrant affidavit, Mathews, said to be 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.

After looking around for her, he said he then went inside to do laundry and decided to wait until morning to continue searching or for her to return on her own, police sergeant Kevin Perlich said.

Police were not alerted to her disappearance until about five hours later.

The Mathews reportedly adopted the girl two years ago from an Indian orphanage.

Sherin&#39;s case also caught the attention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

&quot;We are deeply concerned about the missing child. Indian Embassy in US is actively involved and they keep me informed,&quot; Swaraj tweeted on October 19.

&quot;We are closely monitoring the Sherin Mathews case. We have established contact with the community and authorities,&quot; India&#39;s Consul General in Houston, Anupam Ray had tweeted.&nbsp;

The three-year-old Indian girl went missing two weeks ago

Police in the US today discovered the body of a child, which they say is "most likely" of a three-year-old Indian girl who went missing two weeks ago. 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 foster father reportedly upbraided her and sent her alone outside late at night as punishment for not finishing her milk. 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. Sherin has developmental issues and limited verbal communication skills × Sherin's body was found about half a mile from the house of her adoptive parents Wesley and Sini Mathews. As part of their search operation, officers blocked off an area near Spring Valley and Bowser roads, east of Central Expressway. 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. They, however, indicated they had no reason to believe that the body of a different child had been found. The identification process was underway. The medical examiner was working to determine the cause of death. The child's foster father, Wesley Mathews, 37, was arrested on a charge of abandoning or endangering a child. A day later, he was released from custody after posting USD 250,000 bond. As per an arrest-warrant affidavit, Mathews, said to be 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. After looking around for her, he said he then went inside to do laundry and decided to wait until morning to continue searching or for her to return on her own, police sergeant Kevin Perlich said. Police were not alerted to her disappearance until about five hours later. The Mathews reportedly adopted the girl two years ago from an Indian orphanage. Sherin's case also caught the attention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. "We are deeply concerned about the missing child. Indian Embassy in US is actively involved and they keep me informed," Swaraj tweeted on October 19. "We are closely monitoring the Sherin Mathews case. We have established contact with the community and authorities," India's Consul General in Houston, Anupam Ray had tweeted.

US police find body, 'most likely' of missing Indian girl

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