The Everman Tragedy: Honoring Noel and Confronting the Unthinkable

By Alberto T. Govea

The loss of a child is a pain that reaches beyond words. Even when the child is not your own, even when you never met them, something inside you breaks. Any parent understands this instinctively, but you don’t need to be a parent to feel the weight of such a tragedy. Losing a child is devastating. Losing a child to violence is something far darker.

And when that violence comes at the hands of a parent, the mind struggles to comprehend it. In Latino culture, many of us grew up hearing the story of La Llorona—the mother who drowned her children and wandered the earth in eternal grief. Whether the tale was ever true or simply a warning whispered to restless children, it carried a message: a mother’s love should protect, not destroy.

Sadly, the story of six‑year‑old Noel Rodriguez Alvarez is not a legend. It is a heartbreaking reality. Noel had not been seen since October 2022, around the time his mother, Cindy Rodriguez Singh, gave birth to twins. Soon after, she began telling others that Noel was dangerous, that he might harm the babies, and even claimed he was possessed by a demon. These statements, reported by multiple sources, were early signs of a tragedy unfolding.

Noel was not reported missing until March 2023, when concerned relatives realized they had not seen him in months. Rumors spread quickly, but the mother insisted Noel had gone to Mexico to live with his biological father—a claim that was never verified, as the father could not be located.

Then, on March 22, 2023, Cindy Rodriguez Singh, her husband, and her six remaining children boarded a plane to India. She was later placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list and ultimately captured in New Delhi in August 2025.

On May 14, 2026, investigators conducted another search of the family’s former home in Everman. This time, they discovered human remains. Dental records confirmed what the community had feared: the remains belonged to little Noel.

Cindy Rodriguez Singh has since been charged with capital murder and two counts of child abuse. She has been ruled incompetent to stand trial and is currently in a mental health facility, where she is expected to receive treatment until she is deemed fit to face justice.

In the meantime, the City of Everman has created a temporary memorial for Noel at Everman Memorial Park. My wife and I visited last week to pray for him, and like many others, we found ourselves asking the same question: Why?

How could this happen? How do we honor Noel’s memory? And how do we prevent another child from suffering the same fate?

There is no single answer. But there is one truth we cannot ignore: If you see signs of child abuse, report them. If you see signs of mental health crisis, especially when children are involved—speak up. Intervention saves lives.

Child Abuse Hotline: 800‑422‑4453, MHMR 214-528-2336—817-345-7667