Missing Madalina: Last independent sighting Nov. 21 on CMS bus

Jan. 10. By Dave Yochum. Search warrants unsealed today help trace the steps Cornelius Police, the FBI and the SBI have taken to find 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari. Among the items are credit card information and mobile phone records, with text messages and GPS data, to search for the Bailey Middle sixth-grader.

During visits to the house police took note of an area off the kitchen that was “blocked with plywood” to make a separate apartment, as per the stepfather.

The mother, Diana Cojocari, and the stepfather, Christopher Palmiter, have been charged with failure to report the disappearance of a child, which is a felony in North Carolina.

From the search warrants:

—Police have seized three cell phones.

—The mother stated Madalina did not have a phone

One of the search warrants says “persons who commit crime often change the phone numbers they use to communicate following their commission of crime. However, these individuals often continue to communicate with associates through alternate means, including newly established cellular telephone numbers.”

—Mother has said her husband put the family in danger.

Nov. 21: CMS video shows Madalina getting off a school bus in Victoria Bay.

Nov. 23: Date that Diana Cojocari says she last saw Madalina, at 2200 hours. Mother, stepfather also argue.

Nov. 24: Date Palmiter says he drove to Michigan to “pick up items.”

Nov. 26: Date Palmiter says he returned from Michigan trip.

Dec. 12: Because of Madalina’s extended absence, Bailey Middle School attempts s home visit. There is no answer at the door. Truancy packet was left.

Dec. 14: Diana Cojocari told school officials she would bring Madalina the next day.

Dec. 15: Diana Cojocari, reported Madalina since Nov. 23. She does not bring Madalina. First home search occurs.

Dec. 17: Mother, stepfather are arrested.

Diana Cojocari remains in jail as does Christopher Palmiter. Bail is set at $250,000 and $200,000 respectively. The pair were formally indicted last week.

It has been 50 days since Madalina was last seen getting off her school bus on Nov. 21 last year.

If you have firsthand information that could help detectives, please contact the Cornelius Police Department at 704-892-1363 or 1-800-Call FBI.