The search for Madalina | Cornelius Today photo

Dec. 19. The search for Madalina Cojocari will go into its sixth day tomorrow after nothing turned up in Lake Cornelius today.

The 11-year-old was reported missing last week—after disappearing three weeks earlier. Madalina was last seen at home and has not been seen since.

Madalina is 11 years old and loves ice cream

Mother, step-father jailed

Her mother and step-father, Diana Cojocari, 35, and Christopher Palmiter, 60, have both been arrested for failure to report the disappearance of a child to law enforcement. The family’s home is on Victoria Bay Drive in the Victoria Bay neighborhood off Catawba Avenue just east of I-77.

The couple reported her missing to the Bailey Middle School resource officer on Dec. 15. The FBI and the SBI as well as CPD are involved in the case.

Prayer vigil

The community is invited to attend a prayer vigil in the Victoria Bay common area at the corner of Lake Village Boulevard and Victoria Bay Drive, directly across from the Cojocari/Palmiter home.

Despite the lake search, there is still optimism.

Palmiter

D Cojocari

“We all hope she is found safe,” Cornelius Fire Chief Guerry Barbee said after the lake search was called off around 4:30 pm.

A description

Madalina is 4 feet, 10 inches tall, has dark brown hair and weighs about 90 pounds. She was last seen wearing jeans; pink, purple and white Adidas shoes; and a white t-shirt and jacket.

Police said anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the sixth-grader should call 704-892-7773 or the North Mecklenburg Crimestoppers at 704-896-7867. You can remain anonymous.

FBI poster for Madalina