North Carolina police are urging the public for assistance as the disappearance of 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari continues.
“It has been 42 days since Madalina was last seen as she got off of her school bus on November 21st, 2022,” the Cornelius Police Department posted on Facebook. “We need your assistance in finding her. If you have firsthand information that could help detectives, please contact the Cornelius Police Department at 704-892-1363 or 1-800-Call FBI. #FindMadalina.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Madalina was reported missing on December 15, although her mother, 35-year-old Diana Cojocari, says she hasn’t seen her since November 23. The FBI and several other agencies, including the State Bureau of Investigation, have joined the search efforts and investigation.
According to an arrest affidavit, Cojocari told detectives that she didn’t immediately report Madalina missing because she was concerned that her husband, Christopher Palmiter, 60, would put her family in danger and that it “might start a conflict” with him.
Cojocari also told investigators that some of Madalina’s clothes were missing but that she couldn’t think of anywhere her daughter may have gone. Most of their family, according to Cojocari, live in Moldova, a country in Eastern Europe.
Police arrested Cojocari and her husband, Christopher Palmiter, 60, and charged them with failure to report her disappearance. They remain behind bars at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. The judge set Cojacori’s bond at $250,000 and initially set Palmiter’s bond at $100,000, which was later raised to $200,000.
Fox News reports that the FBI stated they’ve received more than 250 leads so far in the case.
This is the last time investigators have independent confirmation of when Madalina was last seen. She got off the bus on 11-21-22, at 4:59 p.m. We are seeking additional witnesses outside of the family to narrow down the exact timeline of when she disappeared. #FindMadalina pic.twitter.com/dkStKHmjjB
— FBI Charlotte (@FBICharlotte) December 20, 2022
Madalina is described as being 4-feet-10-inches tall and weighing around 90 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on Madalina should call the Cornelius Police Department at 704-892-7773. To remain anonymous, call North Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers at 704-896-7867.
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[Featured image: Police Handout]
