Investigation into disappearance of missing Cornelius girl continues in Madison County

MADISON COUNTY, N.C. — Agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation returned to Madison County Tuesday to look for surveillance footage in the expanded search for missing 11-year-old Cornelius girl Madalina Cojocari.

Last week, law enforcement sources said they came in contact with Madalina’s mother, Diana Cojocari, in a rural part of Madison County. A deputy came in contact with Cojocari at a pull-off area on U.S. Highway 25 near Lonesome Mountain Road, sources said.

The SBI, Cornelius police and Madison County sheriff’s deputies searched there and in the Revere Community along Burton Cove Road.

The girl was reported missing on Dec. 15.

Madalina’s mother and stepfather, who are now in jail, waited 22 days before reporting her missing, police said. Diana Cojocari and Christopher Palmiter are accused of failing to report Madalina’s disappearance to authorities.

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Resident Elliott Nicholson said investigators left a missing persons flyer of Madalina at his home.

“It’s the weirdest thing ever and your mind starts going with it have I ever seen these people?” Nicholson said. “Have I seen them anywhere?”

Residents said that deputies and SBI agents went door to door asking people if they’d seen Madalina’s mother and a Toyota Prius in the area.

Terry Treadway and her husband, who live in the Revere community, said they are meeting with the SBI so agents can download video from their surveillance cameras outside their home.

“If I knew something, I would move heaven and earth to get this girl back home,” Treadway said. “I have kids and it’s very disturbing to me.”

Channel 9 went to the courthouse in Marshal but there were no charges against Madalina’s mother that have been filed.

The only charge they could find was the one in Mecklenburg County for failing to report a missing child.

Cojocari does not have any property in Madison County.

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