The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are now assisting in the case to find the couple abroad after warrants for their arrest have been issued felony warrants for abandoning or endangering a child in connection to the investigation.
Everman Police Chief Craig Spencer said in a news conference on Tuesday that Rodriguez-Singh was abusive, even neglectful toward Noel, that witnesses told his department that his mother feared the little boy had the 'devil in him' and might harm her newborn twins.
Investigators also learned that Rodriguez-Singh asked to borrow a friend’s child to pose as Noel at one of his medical appointments so she could try to keep receiving government benefits for Noel, Spencer said.
“Relatives and witnesses stated that food and water were often withheld from Noel because Cindy did not like changing Noel's dirty diapers. A relative even witnessed Cindy strike Noel in the face with keys because he drank water,” Spencer said.
Spencer said that he wants both found and extradited to the United States. The U.S. and India have had an extradition treaty in place since 1997.
Where do you begin looking for a child who has been missing for six months before being reported missing?
Charles Parsons, the man who owns the property the family lived on, told NBC 5 Tuesday morning that he was a close friend to the family and has a picture of him holding Noel up on his wall.
Police have recently focused al lot of their attention to a concrete slab patio that was recently poured on the property. Investigators have brought in ground-penetrating radar and excavated sections of the patio looking for clues and/ or remains.
Parsons said Noel's mother, Cindy Singh, poured the slab because he intended to leave his property to her when he died and that she treated it as her own.
"I think they just tore it up because they don't have ... no idea where the boy is and they're frustrated," Parsons said.
Parsons said he thinks Noel is alive and is living in Mexico with his family.
"I know the police are desperate to find the boy, but they are looking in the wrong place is all I can say. He is not here," Parsons said, adding that Noel's mother told him months ago that the child is living with an aunt in Mexico after his father said he didn't want to take custody.
Spencer said previously that investigators have talked to the boy's father several times and he said his son is not with him in Mexico. Spencer said, at this point, they have no reason to doubt the father's statements and that the father has reached out to them as well for updates on the case involving his missing son.
Spencer said the decision was made to take advantage of Texas Search and Rescue's resources to re-examine the patio area behind the home where the family had recently poured a concrete slab. TEXSAR is a group of expert first responders who have provided help in search and rescue operations around the state of Texas at no cost for two decades.
“They volunteer their time, their money, their efforts. It’s all on a volunteer basis. They are professionally trained, some of the best of the best,” said Todd Snyder, TEXSAR’s missing person unit director. “Obviously every case is important but it’s a special place in your heart when it involves a child.”
Crews began digging under the slab with a backhoe, sledgehammer, and other heavy tools at about 4 p.m. Monday for a second time in a week's time.
It took the crews about 12 hours to conclude the excavation and Spencer confirmed that nothing had been found under the concrete slab and that the search there had concluded.
The area was of interest, Spencer said, because evidence showed Noel’s mother had recently hired a contractor to work on the patio in the past month. He said that new concrete was poured as part of that project.
"Cindy is the one who paid for the concrete patio. She doesn't own the home. We find that very odd that she would spend the funds on somebody else's home to put in a concrete patio," said Spencer. "Especially one as large and elaborate as this. This is a pretty hefty investment."
Spencer is grateful for TEXSAR's help, confirming that they also planned to search wooded areas to the north and east of the family's rented residence on foot, on horseback, and by air with drones.
“They’ve obviously brought a lot to the table that we wouldn’t have had otherwise,” said Spencer. “We’re doing everything that we can, making sure we don’t leave any stone unturned on this case."
Spencer said the FBI is still working with its contact abroad to find the couple.
"They've obviously got contacts that we don't have. We'll continue to work with them and the U.S. Marshal's Office and hopefully locate her and get her back," he said. "We need her and her husband here so we can talk with them because we have a lot of unanswered questions."
Noel’s home had an altar to Santa Muerte, or Saint Death - a female cult figure denounced by the Catholic Church but popular with drug cartel members, the police said.
In a search warrant obtained by NBC 5, Cindy's brother Cantarino Rodriguez said she told her mother that she sold the boy at a Fiesta Market to an unknown woman and that the woman threatened to notify Child Protective Services if she tried to get him back.
Police have stated that through their investigation, they believe her claims to be false.
A community in mourning and angry
On Monday night, the Everman community held a prayer vigil for the missing six-year-old.
The vigil at Everman’s civic center drew hundreds including faith leaders and law enforcement. They shared messages of grief at the loss of life and outrage at what investigations have uncovered about how Noel was treated and how hope could be found in community and prayer.
Everman Police Chief Craig Spencer said it was important to remember what the event was all about. “Tonight’s not about mom, it’s not about stepdad, it’s not about anything to do with the case,” Spencer told the gathering. “Tonight’s about Noel. Tonight, we honor him by finding ways to stop these tremendously horrible acts that go on.”
"The best thing everyone can do to help is to share his photo and encourage anyone with information to call 817-293-2923 or email [email protected]," Everman Police said.
