(NewsNation) — Search warrants in the case of Madalina Cojocari’s disappearance suggest the investigation initially focused on suspected sexual exploitation of a minor.
In the days following her disappearance, her mattress, clothing, Halloween costume and family photos were burned outside a North Carolina home, according to the warrants obtained by WCNC. A carpet from a spare bedroom was also burned.
Christopher Palmiter, Cojocari’s stepfather, testified during his May 2024 trial that Cojocari’s mother, Diana Cojocari, had been burning things more frequently.
Additionally, Diana Cojocari sent $4,000 to a priest in Moldova following her daughter’s disappearance. During Palmiter’s trial, Cornelius Police Detective Gina Patterson testified that money was sent via Western Union to Diana Cojocari’s mother and a priest in Moldova.
Investigators later found a phone in December 2022 with a Discord account linked to Madalina Cojocari containing 37 unread messages, the warrant said.
“This investigation involves the believed sexual exploitation of minor child victim,” a warrant filed in January 2023 stated.
Madalina Cojocari went missing in late November 2022. She was 11 at the time of her disappearance. Diana Cojocari told police she last saw Madalina on Nov. 23, 2022, but the last confirmed sighting of Madalina was on Nov. 21, when she was getting off the school bus.
Diana Cojocari said clothing and other items were missing from her daughter’s room when she went to check in on her on Thanksgiving. Family members have said Madalina Cojocari was sold to child traffickers.
However, Diana Cojocari did not report her daughter missing until Dec. 15, 2022, when Diana arrived for a meeting at the girl’s school without her daughter.
In May 2024, Diana Cojocari pleaded guilty to a felony charge of failure to report a child’s disappearance. She left the country after being released on time served, WJZY reported.
Last June, Palmiter was convicted on a felony charge of failing to report his stepdaughter’s disappearance. He was sentenced to 30 months of supervised probation.