Sherin Mathews' adoptive parents have given up the battle for custody of biological daughter, who is currently living with relatives in Houston.
Wesley and Sini Mathews, adoptive parents of the child who was found dead in Dallas in October 2017, have agreed to relinquish their parental rights saying it would be best for their surviving daughter.
Sini made “the extremely difficult decision to give up her parental rights because, given the circumstances and the pending criminal cases, this is in the best interests of the child”, her lawyer told Dallas News after a court hearing on Friday. “She wants what’s best for her remaining daughter,” the lawyer said.
Sherin's adoptive father Wesley has been charged with capital murder after he killed her and hid her body in a culvert. Her body was discovered weeks later. Wesley initially said he put three-year-old Sherin outside on October 7 because she refused to drink milk. Later, he changed the story saying the child choked on milk.
Sherin's adoptive mother Sini has been charged with child abandonment, as the couple went out to dinner and left Sherin alone the night before she died.
Sherin's case has resulted in child advocates working toward passing a new legislation that would make it illegal for parents to leave their young children alone at home.
At present, leaving a child of any age home alone is not a crime in Texas.
"With Sherin, we draw the line. It's enough. It's time to make a change," Reena Bana, an advocate for missing or abused children and domestic issues, was quoted as saying by a television station.
"No children under 9 or 10 years old need to be left unaccompanied at home," said Shanna Poteet, an activist and advocate.
