CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Diana Cojocari, the mother of missing Cornelius girl Madalina Cojocari, may be out of the country, investigators told WCNC Charlotte.
The Cornelius Police Department said it is aware of rumors that Cojocari left the country recently. In a statement, the department said detectives have seen reports that Cojocari may be in Europe, but they can't confirm her whereabouts. There have also been posts claiming that Madalina was in hiding in her mother's native country Moldova. Detectives have not confirmed those claims.
Deputy Chief Jennifer Thompson issued the following statement to WCNC Charlotte:
"The police department is aware of the posts that indicate Diana Cojocari may have left the country, however we cannot confirm where exactly she went. None of her property was released and we are unable to prevent her from leaving the country. She does not currently have any active warrants for her arrest."
That property would include her passports.
"Her passports were seized in the beginning of the investigation. Those remain in our custody," Thompson said. "But what she could possibly do and where she could potentially go is always on our mind."
Cojocari was recently named a suspect in her daughter's disappearance. It was the first time Cornelius police named Cojocari as a suspect but no charges were filed. She and her husband, Christopher Palmiter, were arrested and charged with failure to report a missing child in December 2022, several weeks after the then 11-year-old was last seen alive.
Cojocari spent 18 months in jail before pleading guilty in May. She was released from jail the next day. Palmiter was found guilty after standing trial. He quickly filed for divorce from Cojocari after his conviction.
Thompson said investigators still believe Madalina is alive.
"I'm a mom and that is something I want to believe," she said. "Bottom line is we want to bring Madalina home."