What Is Sherin Mathews Cause Of Death? Missing Texas Toddler's Body Released

The body of missing toddler Sherin Mathews was released Saturday by the medical examiner in Dallas, Texas. The 3-year-old’s body was sent to a funeral home, though it was unclear to whom the body was released.

Although the autopsy was completed and the body released, Sherin’s cause and manner of death was still pending Sunday, according to KXAS-TV. Conflicting accounts from Sherin’s father about what led to her death further muddle the story.

Sherin’s body was found inside a culvert two weeks after her father, Wesley Mathews, reported her missing. Mathews initially told police he made Sherin stand outside in the middle of the night as punishment for not finishing her milk and she disappeared. After her body was discovered, however, he changed his story, telling authorities he “physically assisted” the girl in drinking her milk and then saw her choke to death before removing her body from the house. The 37-year-old remains behind bars in Dallas County Jail on charges of felony injury to a child.

Sherin was adopted by the Mathews two years ago from an orphanage in India. Before her death, her parents reportedly sought treatment for her “multiple special needs,” the Dallas Morning News said Friday. But it remained unclear what those treatments were and whether her father should have been feeding her at 3 a.m. Mathews told police the special diet regimen was an attempt to try and get her to gain weight.

“She was malnourished when she came over here,” Richardson Police Sgt. Kevin Perlich said Friday. “She had developmental issues. She was not your typical 2 or 3-year-old.”

The manager of the orphanage from where Sherin was adopted, however, had alternate claims.

“Look at the photos of the child,” Babita Kumari told the Associated Press Thursday. “Does she look malnourished? I have so many questions about what happened to her.”

Kumari also said in a prior interview the child would eat whatever was given to her and never appeared to have issues drinking her milk. Sherin had problems with one eye but was otherwise in good health when she was adopted by the Mathews family, Kumari said.

“Why did they have to make her eat or drink anything at that hour?” said Kumari. “Why was he forcing her? If someone is forcing a drink into the mouth of someone who is crying and sobbing, then even an adult can choke.”