NEW DELHI – Cindy Rodriguez Singh, once one of the FBI’s “Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives,” was arrested in India on 20 August 2025. The 40-year-old American fled the US after being accused of killing her six-year-old son, Noel Rodriguez Alvarez, in Texas back in 2022.
For more than two years, she stayed out of reach. Her arrest highlights how countries can work together to tackle crime, with Indian authorities playing a strong part in her capture and her return to America.
The story began in October 2022 when young Noel, who suffered from chronic lung disease and other health issues, disappeared in Everman, Texas. Police only started looking for him in March 2023 after a tip from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
When officers arrived for a welfare check, Singh claimed Noel was living in Mexico with his biological father. Investigators disproved this after speaking with the father, who said he had never met Noel.
Singh left the US for India with her husband, Arshdeep and six children on 22 March 2023, flying out via Istanbul. Noel was not with them, making investigators suspicious. Witnesses later described Singh’s harsh treatment of Noel, saying she called him “evil” or “possessed” and feared for the safety of her other children.
Reports described starvation and physical abuse, including an incident where she hit him with keys for trying to drink water. In another account, Singh allegedly said she had “sold” Noel.
By October 2023, Singh faced a capital murder charge in Fort Worth, Texas. Federal authorities issued a warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, and in July 2025, Singh joined the notorious FBI Top 10 Most Wanted list—the first time a mother accused of killing her own child made the ranks. The reward for her arrest, at first $25,000, surged to $250,000.
The FBI International Hunt
Singh’s links to India made it a likely hiding place. The FBI worked closely with international partners to trace her. An INTERPOL Red Notice was published on 3 October 2024, alerting police worldwide. US officials also sent India an extradition request.
Indian police, working with the FBI’s Delhi office, INTERPOL, and the US Department of State, began searching for Singh. Advanced intelligence sharing helped find her, though her exact location in India was kept secret.
The Central Bureau of Investigation and state police coordinated with their US counterparts throughout. FBI Director Kash Patel praised Indian authorities and said the arrest ended a long manhunt.
After her arrest, Singh was quickly flown back to Texas. She was handed over to the Tarrant County Sheriff and now faces multiple charges, including capital murder of a child under ten and fleeing prosecution. Bail is set at ten million dollars. Texas law could bring the death penalty if she is found guilty.
The fast extradition shows how strong the legal ties are between the US and India. FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said this cooperation marked a new stage in the search for the truth about Noel’s disappearance.
The Bounty and the List
The $250,000 reward made Singh’s case one of the FBI’s most high-profile. Her face on the “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list brought extra public attention. It is not clear if a tip from the public led to her capture. However, the case highlights the long success of the FBI’s wanted list. In the past seven months, Singh became the fourth person on that list to be captured. Since 1950, the list has helped catch 498 out of 537 fugitives.
Singh’s arrest offers some comfort to Everman, Texas. The town is still grieving for Noel, whose body has not been found. Local police remain determined to get justice. In November 2023, the city dedicated a new inclusive park in Noel’s memory—a reminder of a young life lost.
As Singh sits in jail awaiting trial, her capture shows how determined the authorities were to hold her accountable. The teamwork between Indian and US police sends a clear message: escaping across borders is no refuge for those accused of such serious crimes. For Noel Rodriguez Alvarez, there is now a hope for answers, even as the search for the truth goes on.
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