N.C. mom, stepfather arrested almost a month after 11-year-old goes missing

CORNELIUS, N.C. (TCD) -- A 37-year-old woman and her 60-year-old husband were arrested for allegedly not reporting the woman’s daughter missing for several weeks weeks.

According to the Cornelius Police Department, Madalina Cojocari’s parents reported her missing to Bailey Middle School’s resource officer Dec. 15. The parents reportedly told the officer they had not seen the 11-year-old girl since Nov. 23 — the day before Thanksgiving.

Other law enforcement agencies have gotten involved in the search for Madalina, including the FBI and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

On Dec. 17, the Cornelius Police Department announced officers arrested Madalina’s stepfather, Christopher Palmiter, and her mother, Diana Cojocari, for failure to report the disappearance of a child to law enforcement.

Cornelius Police announced Dec. 19 they expanded their search for Madalina to Lake Cornelius, and they will be "conducting additional land and water searches as a precautionary measure."

Palmiter and Diana Cojocari are being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail on $100,000 bond.

MORE:

• Cornelius Police Seek Assistance Locating Missing Juvenile - Cornelius Police Department
• Missing Person - FBI 
• Update on Missing Juvenile, Diana Cojicari Arrest - Cornelius Police Department
• Update on Missing Juvenile, Christopher Palmiter Arrest - Cornelius Police Department
• Mecklenburg County Jail inmate information