Madalina Cojocari's school bus driver and counselor testify at her stepfather's trial

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The first day of testimony in the trial of Christopher Palmiter, stepfather of missing Cornelius girl Madalina Cojocari, included witnesses from the school and reminders of what the trial was really about.

Opening arguments began at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse just before 2 p.m. Friday afternoon, and the state began calling witnesses.

Palmiter is on trial for failing to report the disappearance of his stepdaughter. She was 11 years old at the time of her disappearance.

Prosecutors say Madalina's school counselor left Palmiter five voicemails in 23 days and never responded until his wife went to Bailey Middle School without Madalina. That's when authorities discovered his disappearance in December 2022.

The defense and prosecution reminded jurors that this trial was not about what happened to Madalina. They said jurors won't get that answer during this trial.

The prosecution began with a few witnesses becoming emotional on the stand. Prosecutors began by calling Madalina's school bus driver, Tina Rorie.

She cried and had to take a moment on the stand to compose herself.

Rorie got upset when she talked about her last meeting with Madalina on November 21, 2022, while getting off the bus. She says Madalina was always polite and thanked her every day.

The prosecution's second witness was Madalina's guidance counselor, Danice Lampkin. She broke down several times on the stand.

The state released five voicemails the counselor allegedly left on Palmiter's cell phone asking how Madalina was doing and checking on her because she was absent from school.

Lampkin became emotional at the start of her testimony when she talked about Madalina's success in school. The counselor eventually went to Madalina's home and left a truancy record.

Two days later, Madalina's mother showed up at school without her daughter and that's when authorities discovered Madalina was missing.

The prosecutor asked the guidance counselor what she was thinking when after about three weeks, Madalina's mother finally announced that her daughter was missing.

“Oh my God, where is this child?” Lampkin responded

Earlier this week, Madalina's mother, Diana Cojocari, pleaded guilty to the same charge as Palmiter.

She was released from prison after serving her sentence.

Testimony in Palmiter's trial continues Tuesday.