Called 6-year-old son ‘possessed’: US woman with India ties on FBI’s most wanted list

Noel, who suffered from chronic lung disease, despite repeated welfare checks and inconsistent stories, was last seen in October 2022 shortly after his mother gave birth to twins. USA Today reported that witnesses said Rodriguez-Singh believed her son was “possessed” or “had a demon in him”, and feared he would “hunt” the newborns.

At a press conference on Tuesday, FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said: “The disappearance and suspected death of Noel Alvarez is still fresh in the minds of everyone in Everman as well as throughout North Texas. The addition of Cindy Rodriguez Singh to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List is an opportunity to bring this case to the eyes and ears of citizens across the country and around the world.”

“We are confident this publicity will culminate in her arrest and she will be returned to the United States to answer for her alleged crimes.”

A trail of clues

Authorities say Noel was last seen in October 2022, around the time his mother gave birth to twins. On March 20, 2023, acting on a request from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Everman police conducted a welfare check for the child.

During the visit, Singh falsely claimed that Noel had been living with his biological father in Mexico since November 2022.

Singh has told multiple people conflicting stories about what happened to Noel, including a bizarre claim that she “sold” him to a woman in a supermarket parking lot, a claim police say has no evidence.

Just before the family left Texas, Singh spent the family’s entire tax refund to build a patio, requesting an area to be made “thicker,” according to police. Her husband, Arshdeep, reportedly disposed of a carpet in a dumpster before their departure. A cadaver dog later alerted authorities to both the carpet and the newly built patio, USA Today reported.

Despite the lack of a recovered body, Everman Police Chief Craig Spencer said charges are still moving forward.

“There are situations where we may not ever find a body,” Spencer said, as quoted by USA Today. “That doesn’t preclude the DA’s office from getting a murder conviction.”

Rodriguez-Singh faces capital murder, two counts of injury to a child, and abandoning a child without intent to return. Authorities believe she severely restricted Noel’s access to food and water, because Singh “did not want to change his diapers” and even hitting him with keys when he tried to drink. He was never enrolled in school and began missing medical appointments months before his disappearance, USA Today reported.

Noel’s body has still not been found.

The Justice

Rodriguez-Singh was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list this week. Authorities say they are working with the FBI, US Marshals Service, and Department of Homeland Security to bring her back from India. On October 31, 2023, Singh was charged with capital murder by a Tarrant County court in Fort Worth, Texas. A federal arrest warrant was issued two days later for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.

On August 29, 2024, the FBI announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to her arrest and conviction, but increased the amount on Tuesday.

“This is a promise we made to him and to this community,” said Spencer in a recent press conference. “That we would never stop until those responsible are held accountable.”

The FBI urges anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit tips.fbi.gov. Singh is described as 5’1″–5’3″, with brown hair, brown eyes, and numerous tattoos. She may be traveling internationally using aliases.