Finding Madalina: Cojocari’s stepfather set for jury trial
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The stepfather of a young Cornelius girl missing since 2022 is set for a jury trial in Mecklenburg County on Monday.
MORE: Cojocari’s stepfather pleads not guilty to charges in Meck County courtroom
Christopher Palmiter will appear in a Mecklenburg County courtroom and for a jury trial after pleading not guilty during an arraignment to charges of failure to report Madalina Cojocari’s disappearance. She was 11 at the time of her disappearance.
The trial is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 20, at the Mecklenburg County courthouse. Since January of 2023, multiple dispositions and in-person arraignment hearings have been held, according to court records.
The mother, Diana Cojocari, was expected to appear for a bond hearing in February but was a no-show. “And if it’s being said on part by the defense that the defendant chooses not to come, we can’t force her to be here,” said Superior Court Judge Donald Cureton.
The married couple is accused of not reporting her disappearance after concerned staff members from the young girls’ school reached out to the parents to inquire about her whereabouts right around Thanksgiving of 2022. She was not reported missing by the parents until December 15, 2022.
MORE: ‘She’s alive’: Grandmother of missing Cornelius girl makes explosive comments
Cornelius Police said they continue to search for evidence and more leads for wherever Madalina might be. There are still posters plastering the town, looking for any tips.
Diana remains behind bars while Palmiter bonded out, and they have both entered not-guilty pleas. Last fall Madalina’s grandmother Rodica made some explosive comments outside a courtroom accusing Palmiter of trafficking her granddaughter.
“My children were caught up by child traffickers. My granddaughter is alive. She was sold along with Diana for $5 million,” she said.
Madalina Cojocari would now be 13 years old.
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