Mother of Missing 11-Year-Old Madalina Cojocari Allegedly Departs U.S. as Investigation Continues

Background of the Disappearance

Madalina Cojocari, an 11-year-old girl from Cornelius, North Carolina, has been missing since November 21, 2022. The last known sighting of Madalina was when she was seen disembarking from her school bus. Since her disappearance, the case has garnered significant attention, leading to an ongoing investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.

Identification of a Suspect

On June 25, 2024, the Cornelius Police Department officially named Diana Cojocari, Madalina's mother, as a suspect in her daughter's disappearance. This development marked a significant turn in the case, as investigators continue to work on unraveling the circumstances surrounding Madalina's vanishing.

Alleged Departure of Diana Cojocari

Recent reports suggest that Diana Cojocari may have fled the United States shortly after being named a suspect. A post shared on the Facebook group:

"Where is Madalina Cojocari"

purportedly shows Diana on a flight from New York's JFK Airport to Frankfurt, Germany, with a final destination of Bucharest, Romania.

Police Response to Alleged Departure

Cornelius Police Chief David Baucom addressed these reports, stating,

"The police department is aware of the posts that indicate Diana Cojocari may have left the country; however, we are unable to confirm this information."

Baucom noted that while law enforcement is monitoring the situation, they currently have no active warrants against Diana Cojocari and therefore cannot legally prevent her from leaving the country.

Passport and Travel Documentation

Although Diana Cojocari's passport was in police custody, there is speculation that she may have obtained an emergency passport to facilitate her travel. This aspect of the investigation remains under scrutiny as officials work to verify her whereabouts.

Arrests and Legal Proceedings

In 2022, both Diana Cojocari and her then-husband, Christopher Palmiter, were arrested for failing to report Madalina's disappearance. Diana Cojocari only informed school officials of her daughter's absence on December 15, after being summoned for a meeting. She later pleaded guilty to the charge and received a sentence of six to 17 months in prison. Christopher Palmiter, on the other hand, pleaded not guilty but was convicted and sentenced to 30 months of supervised probation.

Post-Trial Developments and Allegations

Following the trial, Palmiter filed for divorce. In the aftermath, both parties have accused each other of being responsible for Madalina's disappearance. Palmiter has suggested that Diana may have sent Madalina to live with relatives in Moldova, stating during the trial,

"I believe Diana has tucked her away somewhere where she's not going to be found."

Conversely, Diana Cojocari and her family have made grave allegations, claiming that Palmiter sold Madalina for financial gain.

Description of Madalina Cojocari

Madalina Cojocari is described as a white female with brown hair and brown eyes. At the time of her disappearance, she stood approximately 4 feet 10 inches tall and weighed around 90 pounds. She was last seen wearing jeans, pink, purple, and white Adidas shoes, a white T-shirt, and a jacket.

Ongoing Investigation and Public Appeal

The search for Madalina Cojocari is ongoing, with the Cornelius Police Department collaborating closely with the FBI and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Despite numerous tips and reports of possible sightings, none have led to the discovery of Madalina.

Contact Information for Tips

Authorities continue to urge anyone with information related to Madalina Cojocari's disappearance to come forward. Individuals with any relevant details are encouraged to contact the Cornelius Police Department at 704-892-7773.