Cornelius neighbors observe 13th birthday of missing girl Madalina Cojocari
CORNELIUS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Community members gathered at Cornelius Town Hall for a somber birthday celebration for their missing neighbor, Madalina Cojocari.
April 11 is Madalina’s 13th birthday. She hasn’t been seen in public since Nov. 21, 2022, when she was getting off the bus after a day at Bailey Middle School.
This is the second year in a row her friends and neighbors observed her birthday while she is missing.
“Her poster and pictures are all over the place,” said Davidson resident Betsy Flagler. “Sweetheart, we have not forgotten you.”
Cornelius Police officers read aloud birthday cards from the community to the small gathering.
Many cards were hand-drawn from children around Cojocari’s age or younger.
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Cojocari’s mother, Diana Cojocari, and stepfather, Christopher Palmiter, face charges related to failing to report her disappearance. Diana remains in custody. Palmiter bonded out in August and was not present at the celebration.
Deputy Chief Jennifer Thompson with Cornelius PD said she understands some people are frustrated that very little information about the investigation has been made public since Madalina’s guardians’ arrests.
“Our purpose and mission is to bring Madalina home and to preserve what we can to make sure that happens,” Thompson said.
Officials said they have received hundreds of tips since Cojocari’s disappearance about where she may be. Fewer are coming in after 17 months of searching, but that has not slowed their efforts.
“We continue to work this case just as hard today as we did when it started in November of 2022,” said Chief David Baucom.
Madalina’s schoolmates said they hope to celebrate her next birthday by her side.
Authorities encourage anyone who may have information about her to come forward.
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“It’s so important for us to keep her story active and picture out there,” said Thompson. “Maybe there’s that one piece of information somebody has and no matter how small you think it might be, it could be the piece of the puzzle we need.”
Anyone with information about Madalina’s whereabouts is encouraged to call Cornelius detectives at 704-892-7773.
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