The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 06:32 PM

Dallas Police Searching For Toddler Whose Father Says She Went Missing After He Sent Her Outside For Punishment

Police in Dallas are searching for a toddler whose father said she went missing after he sent her outside as a form of punishment.

Wesley Mathews told investigators he last saw his 3-year-old daughter, Sherin, at around 3 a.m. Saturday at the family's home in Richardson, Texas.

Mathews said he sent the girl outside and told her to stand by a tree as punishment for not drinking her milk, CBS DFW reports.

According to an affidavit, Mathews told authorities he returned to the spot he directed his daughter to stay 15 minutes later to find that the girl was gone. He also reportedly told police he "knew coyotes had been seen in the alley where he left his daughter."

The child was not reported missing until 8 a.m.

Mathews was charged with abandoning or endangering a child. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.

An AMBER Alert was issued for the toddler after she went missing Saturday morning.

Sherin Mathews was last seen wearing black leggings, a pink long-sleeve shirt and pink flip-flops. Investigators say the little girl "suffers from developmental issues and has limited verbal communication skills." Police are asking anyone with information on her whereabouts to call 972-744-4800.