Police in the United States on Monday found 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 punished her and sent her alone outside late at night for not finishing her milk.
Sherin was adopted from an Indian orphanage. She was reported missing on October 7, by her father Wesley Mathew.
Her disappearance has made headlines in India and Texas.
Texas and international media reports quoted the Richardson Police as saying that they discovered the remains of a child in a tunnel beneath a road, expressing apprehension that it was “most likely” of Sherin.
Police, however, did not confirm the identity. Moreover, police have not given any details of how she may have died.
The girl'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.
Earlier report
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined the probe and along with the police. The FBI has searched their house.
Welsey Mathew claimed Sherin was placed near a tree in a lane behind the house where coyotes were known to roam at 3 a.m., the station quoted a police officer as saying.
When he went back to look for her about 15 minutes later she was not there, he reportedly said.
However, he did not report the girl missing till 8 a.m., the police said.
"Why was the last sighting at 3 o'clock and the parents not call us until after 8 a.m.? That's the question we want answered," Perlich told KXAS television.
"As far as why she was out there, how long she was out there, that's the questions we have for the parents."
Sherin's parents also have a four-year-old daughter, who was moved to a foster family by the Child Protection Services, Dallas News reported quoting an agency spokeswoman.
Perlich said that Sherin had developmental problems and had difficulties communicating.
Volunteers from the Emmanuel Bible Chapel, which Mathews attended, helped search a field and other areas near the family's home, according to KDFW television.
An official of the church, Jose Cherian, told the station that Sherin "is a tiny baby and she's very active. A very smart girl."
