In Charlotte, North Carolina, police have shared an updated photo showing how Madalina Cojocari might look now. Madalina went missing when she was 11 years old in November 2022, on what would have been her 14th birthday.
Despite ongoing efforts, Madalina’s case remains unresolved. Initially, her parents were the main suspects and faced charges related to her disappearance. However, they have since been released from custody. Following her release, Madalina’s mother, Diana Cojocari, left the country.
“The search for Madalina began in December 2022,” stated Cornelius Police Department Chief David Baucom in a video shared on the department’s Facebook page. “Madalina was last seen after getting off her school bus on Nov. 21, 2022. Today would have been Madalina’s 14th birthday.”
“We want Madalina and this community to know that we are committed to solving this case. Our commitment has never wavered, and we will not stop until we find Madalina,” Baucom continued.
Police were able to get in contact with Diana while she was still in Cornelius after her release, but officials have since lost track of her exact whereabouts and have reached out to federal authorities for help tracking her down overseas.
Diana was living in the United States on a green card. Baucom said last year that based on their investigation up until that point, Cornelius police do not believe Madalina ever left the United States, though they are not dismissing any possibilities.
Search warrants in the case suggest Diana and her mother contacted a distant relative asking if he would help in “smuggling” Diana and Madalina from their Cornelius home before Madalina disappeared, according to phone records obtained by the Cornelius Police Department.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Madalina’s whereabouts to contact the CPD at 704-892-7773.
