Madalina Cojocari Update: Mother Diana Named Suspect in Missing Cornelius, North Carolina Child

CORNELIUS, N.C. (WTVD) — Nearly two years after 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari disappeared, police have called her mother a “suspect in her disappearance” for the first time.

Cojocari is the daughter of Cornelius, North Carolina, last seen on a school bus surveillance camera on November 21, 2022.

His mother and stepfather said they often talked to each other wondering if the other knew where Cojocari was, but neither of them ever contacted police.

SEE ALSO | Parents 'clearly' know more about missing 11-year-old in North Carolina, police say

On December 15, school leaders asked Cojocari's mother where the girl was. This is how an official police report was finally drawn up.

Since then, Diana Cojocari, the mother of the missing girl, has been sentenced for failure to report the disappearance. She was released from prison after serving her sentence.

Christopher Palmiter, the missing girl's stepfather, was also convicted of failure to report the disappearance. He is currently serving a suspended sentence for this crime.

The Cornelius Police Department shared a new post on social media asking for information to help in the case. This message named Diana Cojocari as a suspect for the first time.

No new charges have been filed against Diana. We therefore do not know why the police finally chose to officially announce him as a suspect in this case.

“Diana Cojocari is Madalina's mother. She is considered a suspect in her disappearance and we remain focused and committed to finding Madalina,” Deputy Chief Jennifer Thompson said of ABC affiliate WSOC in a statement.