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

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

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US: Dedication ceremony, memorial service planned for Sherin

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

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