Father tells police toddler went missing after he sent her outside as punishment

RICHARDSON, Texas -- Police in suburban Dallas are searching for a toddler whose father says went missing after he sent her outside to punish her.

Wesley Mathews tells police he last saw his daughter Sherin, 3, around 3 a.m. Saturday morning at the family's Richardson home. He says he sent the girl outside and told her to stand by a tree as punishment for not drinking her milk, reports CBS DFW.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the station, Mathews told investigators he went back to the spot where he directed his daughter to stay about 15 minutes later and saw that the girl was gone.

Mathews also reportedly told investigators that he "knew coyotes had been seen in the alley where he left his daughter."

Mathews didn't report the child missing until 8 a.m., according to CBS DFW. He was arrested and charged with abandoning or endangering a child. 

An Amber Alert was issued after the toddler went missing Saturday morning. The FBI was assisting local and state law enforcement in the search for the child, the station reports. Police were seen towing the family's van and two SUV's on Saturday and canvassing the neighborhood for surveillance video.

Wesley Mathews is being held in the Richardson Jail on a $250,000 bond.

Sherin Mathews was last seen wearing black leggings, a pink long-sleeve shirt and pink flip-flops. Investigators say the little girl "suffers from developmental issues and has limited verbal communication skills." Police are asking anyone with information on her whereabouts to call 972-744-4800.