The Everman community is coming together to remember Noel Rodriguez-Alvarez, a young boy whose remains were recently discovered after he had been missing for several years.
Yvonne Brooks, Noel’s former foster mother, shared her memories of the boy, describing him as a “happy” and “sweet” child who enjoyed playing with toys and following her daughter around their home. Noel’s remains were found buried in the backyard of his former residence in Everman, Texas, years after he was first reported missing in 2023. His mother faces capital murder charges but has been declared incompetent to stand trial, leaving the pursuit of justice in limbo.
Brooks fostered Noel and his older sister for a few months in 2020 when Noel was around three years old. She fondly recalls his infectious smile and warm demeanor. “He came with this big old smile,” she said. “He came in like he’d been knowing the place.” Although he did not speak much, he was a joyful child who loved playing throughout the house.
<p"She continued, "I have a younger daughter. She fell in love with Noel. He was crazy about her. He used to follow her all around the house. She was in college at the time, and when she came home, he took to her right away." Brooks described him as one of the sweetest children in her home, stating, "He would touch your heart."
When Noel was reported missing in 2023, Brooks expressed her immediate concern. “I was hoping that they’d find him. I was really hoping,” she said, adding that the discovery of his remains brought her even more pain. “It hurt even more when they found him because he was there the whole time for that long.”
Brooks believes that Noel’s mother, along with anyone else involved in his death, should face trial for their actions. The remains discovered at an Everman home were later confirmed to belong to Noel, who had been missing since the fall of 2022. His disappearance came to light in March 2023 when a relative reported it to the authorities, prompting an investigation by local police and Child Protective Services.
Initially, Noel’s mother misled investigators, claiming that he was living with his biological father in Mexico. Just two days after the report, Cindy Rodriguez-Singh, her husband, and Noel’s six siblings boarded a flight to India, leaving Noel behind.
A capital murder arrest warrant was subsequently issued for Rodriguez-Singh, who was later added to the FBI’s Most Wanted list and captured in India last August. A Tarrant County judge ruled last month that she is incompetent to stand trial and has since been placed in a state mental facility. The District Attorney has indicated plans to pursue prosecution once her competency is restored. Meanwhile, her surviving children are now in the care of family members in the United States.
