Authorities in a Dallas suburb announced Sunday they've found the body of who they believe to be a 3-year-old girl.

Sherin Mathews went missing Oct. 7 after her father said he made her stay outside because she wouldn't drink her milk.

The Richardson Police Department said Sherin's body was discovered inside a culvert during a search operation Sunday morning.

The medical examiner's office in that area was called to remove her body and make a positive identification, but authorities said it appears to be Sherin.

Police arrested Wesley Mathews on Oct. 7 on a charge of abandoning or endangering a child. He was released the next day on $250,000 bond.

Police said Mathews told detectives he directed the girl to stand by a tree near the family’s house because she would not drink her milk. The tree is located about 100 feet from the family’s house.

Mathews reportedly returned to get his daughter about 15 minutes later and discovered she was gone, according to the affidavit. He later told detectives he knew coyotes were seen in the area where he left his daughter.