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Madalina Cojocari is a girl from Cornelius, North Carolina who was last seen November 21, 2022 at age 11 getting off a school bus.
Madalina's mother, Diana Cojocari, and her stepfather, Christopher Palmiter, were arrested December 17, 2022 for failing to report Madalina missing. Jail records show Cojocari is being held on $250,000 bond and Palmiter on $200,000 bond. The FBI said Madalina was last seen on November 23.[1] However, November 23 was the date given by the girl's mother. Surveillance video from her school bus showed her exiting the bus at 4:59 P.M. November 21, the last time independent confirmation was possible. After "repeated contact" from Bailey Middle School, Cojocari told the school December 15 that her daughter was missing.[2]
An arrest sheet obtained by WBTV said Cojocari "believed her husband put her family in danger", and WJZY reported that she told a detective on December 15 some of Madalina's clothes were gone and that no family members lived nearby. WJZY also found records indicating Palmiter drove to Michigan November 23 after the couple argued.[3] According to police, Cojocari went in her daughter's room at 11:30 A.M. on November 24 and did not see her. Police also said Cojocari asked Palmiter about her daughter when he returned home two days later. The arrest sheet said Cojocari did not report her daughter missing because "she was worried it might start a 'conflict' between her and Christopher."[4] Palmiter claimed he believed Cojocari was taking care of the girl.[5]
Search warrants obtained January 10, 2023 by WCCB showed that investigators searching the family home collected two dozen items including three cell phones. Police affidavits showed that Cojocari and Palmiter denied knowing where Madalina is.[6]
A search warrant dated February 13, 2023 showed that Cojocari had "extensive communication" with a relative on December 2, 2022. A search warrant dated February 14 said Cojocari asked if the relative "could smuggle her and Madalina away from their home" because of Cojocari's relationship problems. A search of Cojocari's car found passports for her and her daughter, and a debit card for a bank in Moldova.[7]
In July, court records were released suggesting Madalina may have been in Avery County, North Carolina on December 16, 2022.[8] Unsealed search warrants released to WCNC-TV on July 18 included surveillance photos that appeared to show Madalina with a relative in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina. A WCNC-TV story at that time also stated that court records showed Cojocari, while in jail, talked on the telephone about "a big bag of money" and "a theory that Chris gave the girl away for money."[9]
Cojocari pleaded not guilty on August 17, while Palmiter was freed on $25,000 bond (reduced from $200,000) the next day. Palmiter also pleaded not guilty and defense attorneys claimed he did not know Madalina was missing.[8]
Cojocari changed her plea to guilty on May 20, 2024, even though the judge warned her she could be deported to Moldova. She remains in jail but is expected to be released soon. Palmiter's trial was scheduled to begin the same day but was delayed.[10]
A May 14, 2024 FBI interview with Cojocari's cousin includes the claim by Cojocari that "she was in danger, not from Palmiter but from a third party." The interview summary also claims Cojocari's mother "apparently is engaged in a conspiracy ... to help Diana and Madalina flee the country."[10]
At Palmiter's trial, his lawyer Brandon Roseman called Cojocari "delusional" and "unstable". On May 31, a jury found Palmiter guilty of not reporting Madalina was missing. Palmiter had served 244 days in jail and received 30 months probation.[5]
WCCB reported June 26 that the Cornelius Police considered Cojocari a suspect.[11]
On August 29, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper asked that anyone with information call Cornelius Police or the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. He offered a $25,000 reward.[12]
On September 3, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed to WBTV that Cojocari had returned to Moldova. This would make it more difficult to charg he, experts said. The United States does not have an extradition treaty with Moldova.[13]
References
edit- ^ Watson, Michelle (December 29, 2022). "Massive hunt for missing 11-year-old faces challenges, police say". CNN. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
- ^ Shalvey, Kevin; Arancio, Victoria J. (December 21, 2022). "Video shows 11-year-old getting off bus before she went missing, FBI says". ABC News. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
- ^ Barcella, Laura (December 23, 2022). "Mom of Missing N.C. Girl Allegedly Waited Weeks to Tell Police Because She Feared Husband's Reaction". People. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Shalvey, Kevin (December 28, 2022). "Parents 'clearly' know more about missing 11-year-old, police say". ABC News. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Coin, Julia (May 31, 2024). "Madalina Cojocari's stepfather found guilty of failing to report missing NC girl". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ Lynch, Jamiel; Woody, Chenelle (January 11, 2023). "Investigators confiscated cell phones and other items from home of missing 11-year-old girl, warrants show". CNN. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Tucker, Luke; Hauser, Nikki (March 8, 2023). "Madalina Cojocari's mom asked relative to 'smuggle' them away from home, warrants say". WBTV. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ a b Richards, Destiny; Hare, Anders J.; Wilson, Lexi (August 19, 2023). "Stepfather of missing Cornelius girl Madalina Cojocari released on bond". WCNC-TV. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Lee, Hank; Morabito, Nate (July 18, 2023). "Surveillance photo of girl in NC mountains was 'physically consistent' with Madalina Cojocari, warrants show". WCNC-TV. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Williams, Erika; Pierre, Jesse (May 20, 2024). "Diana Cojocari pleads guilty to not reporting daughter missing, while Christopher Palmiter's defense argues the state withheld key evidence". WCNC-TV. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Mondo, Emma; Little, Caryn; Brode, Gary; Michel, Deeandra (June 25, 2024). "Madalina Cojocari's Mother Now Considered A Suspect In Her Disappearance". WCCB. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Coin, Julia (August 29, 2024). "NC Gov. Roy Cooper joins search in Madalina Cojocari's mysterious disappearance". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Johncox, Cassidy (September 3, 2024). "Mother of Madalina Cojocari leaves US nearly 2 years after Cornelius girl's disappearance". WBTV. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
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