Sherin Mathews’ Father Did Not Wake Wife When Texas Toddler Was Choking

The father of 3-year-old Texas toddler Sherin Mathew, who went missing about two weeks ago, was arrested Tuesday after he changed his version of how his adopted daughter got killed. He told the police that Sherin choked on milk Oct. 7 morning. Another important detail that emerged during his renewed confession was that he failed to wake up his wife when their daughter was choking.

In the alternate confession that Wesley Mathews voluntarily provided the detectives after the discovery of a body that allegedly belongs to Sherin, he said he had been trying to get the 3-year-old girl to drink her milk in the garage, the arrest warrant stated.

"Wesley Mathews said she wouldn't listen to him. Eventually, the 3-year-old girl began to drink the milk. Wesley Mathews then physically assisted the 3-year-old girl in drinking the milk. The 3-year-old girl began to choke. She was coughing and her breathing slowed. Eventually, Wesley Mathews no longer felt a pulse on the child and believed she had died. Wesley Mathews then admitted to removing the body from the home," it read.

Wesley has confessed that when he realized that Sherin was choking, he decided to not wake his wife, Sini Mathews, a registered nurse who works at Dallas Children’s Medical Center. While Wesley is facing the charge of first-degree felony, which carries up to life-term in prison, Sherin’s mother has not been charged.

Wesley's decision of not waking up his wife has triggered suspicion. "I'm normally quiet about such things. But as a pediatric nurse and the mother of a child who aspirated, you don't just say, 'Oops they died' You call 911! You run screaming for anyone to help you. I'm sorry, this is more fishy than leaving her by a tree. RIP sweet girl, no one will hurt you anymore," Barabaa Diamond Johnson, a neighbor who lives near Wesley’s house, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

Earlier, some reports claimed that since the evening of Oct. 7, Sini had not been cooperating with the police. However, after the emergence of new evidence Tuesday, Richardson police made a plea for Sini to agree to speak with the police.

Sini’s attorney Kent Starr told NBC 5 on Tuesday that he was no longer representing Sherin’s mother. However, in his last statement pertaining to the case, he said Sini was “distraught” after losing her adopted daughter and was seeking custody of her four-year-old biological daughter, who was placed in foster care after Sherin’s disappearance.

Meanwhile, the ditch where the toddler's body was found by the police Sunday after a two-week long search has attracted a lot of attention from the people who live in the area. Neighbors are increasing flocking around the site to take pictures and selfies, reports said.

After the latest developments in the Sherin Mathews’ case went public, the community of Sunningdale in Richardson, Texas, gathered to offer their silent prayers. Many organized a vigil for the deceased toddler on Sunday, with music and prayer pervading the air.

"A lot of people are in shock and anger and frustrated,” said vigil organizer Omair Siddiqi. “Let's just try our best to breathe and regroup to focus our energy back on this little girl, this princess and find ways to seek her justice as best and as quick as possible.”