Dozens honor 3-year-old Richardson girl found dead near her home

RICHARDSON, Texas -- Hundreds of people near Dallas gathered to remember the short life of a 3-year-old girl found dead near her home.

Sherin Mathews didn't know most of the people who attended her vigil Saturday in Richardson, but she was on their hearts and minds after she disappeared in October, KTVT-TV reports.

Her adoptive parents face criminal charges after Wesley Mathews said he left Sherin outside their home near a tree around 3 a.m. on October 7 because she wouldn't drink her milk.

Sherin's tiny body was found in a culvert near her home after she went missing.

But more than 50 people attended a service at Christ Community Church to remember the little girl that has touched a nerve in the community.

Pastor Dr. Terrence Autry said dozens of people wound up on his doorstep, and that the outpouring of love for Sherin was palpable.

"We just felt as a church, let's just give people an opportunity to come and share and grieve and maybe even unify a little bit so we can better protect our community," Dr. Autry said.

In court this week, a child specialist said Sherin had broken bones and various injuries that showed different stages of healing.

For those who remembered Sherin, they said her suffering is now over-and her memory lives on in pictures forever etched on their hearts.

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A North Texas father allegedly left his missing 3-year-old daughter near an alley wrought with coyotes as punishment.

Body found in search for missing 3-year-old girl near Dallas

Sherin Mathews had not been seen in two weeks.

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Wesley Mathews is charged with first-degree felony injury to a child, a crime punishable by up to life imprisonment.

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