The FBI released a 20-second video clip Wednesday that shows 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari, who was reported missing in North Carolina, during her last known sighting as she exited a school bus.
According to Fox News Digital, the video shows Madalina in a white shirt and backpack as she exits the bus at 4:59 p.m. on November 21 in Cornelius. Her parents, who didn’t report her missing until December 15, told a school resource officer at Bailey Middle School that she had been missing since November 23.
“This is the last time investigators have independent confirmation of when Madalina was last seen. She got off the bus on 11-21-22, at 4:59 p.m. We are seeking additional witnesses outside of the family to narrow down the exact timeline of when she disappeared,” the FBI Charlotte said.
This is the last time investigators have independent confirmation of when Madalina was last seen. She got off the bus on 11-21-22, at 4:59 p.m. We are seeking additional witnesses outside of the family to narrow down the exact timeline of when she disappeared. #FindMadalina pic.twitter.com/dkStKHmjjB
— FBI Charlotte (@FBICharlotte) December 20, 2022
As CrimeOnline previously reported, police arrested the child’s mother, Diana Cojocari, 35, and stepfather, Christopher Palmiter, 60, on Monday and charged them with failure to report her disappearance. Cornelius police launched an investigation into the disappearance last week, and the FBI and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation joined the search later in the day.
An arrest warrant indicates that Cojocari “begrudgingly” reported her daughter missing three weeks later, as she “was worried it would affect her relationship with her husband,” Fox 8 reports. The pair reportedly had an argument the night Madalina disappeared, and Palmiter left for Michigan, where his family lives, to pick up some items. He returned home on November 26.
Cojocari said she noticed her daughter missing from her bedroom on the night of November 23 but didn’t tell Palmiter until he returned from Michigan. Palmiter reportedly told investigators that he last saw Madalina a week before he headed to Michigan, yet failed to report it to police promptly.
Madalina was reported missing after school officials arrived at the home for a truancy check on December 12. On December 15, Cojacari had a meeting with the school, and a missing persons report was subsequently filed.
We know how much you want to help #FindMadalina. Right now, the best way our community can assist is to flood the area with her precious face. Print the #FBI “Missing” poster and hang it outside your home, in the window of every business, or share our official social media posts. pic.twitter.com/js1ws5J5Cw
— FBI Charlotte (@FBICharlotte) December 19, 2022
Madalina is described as being 4-feet-10-inches tall and weighing around 90 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on Madalina should call the Cornelius Police Department at 704-892-7773. To remain anonymous, call North Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers at 704-896-7867.
Check back for updates.
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[Featured image: Police Handout]
