Search Warrants Reveal Disturbing Details in Missing Girl Case

US
Published:

Recent search warrants released in the case of 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari, who disappeared in late November 2022, indicate a disturbing focus on suspected sexual exploitation. In the days following her disappearance, significant family items, including her mattress, clothing, and family photos, were burned outside a residence in North Carolina.

Testimony from Christopher Palmiter, Cojocari’s stepfather, during his trial in May 2024, raised concerns about his wife, Diana Cojocari, increasingly engaging in the destruction of personal items. Further investigation found that Diana sent $4,000 to a priest in Moldova shortly after Madalina's disappearance. An account linked to Madalina on the messaging platform Discord contained 37 unread messages at the time of the investigation.

Diana Cojocari reported that she last saw her daughter on November 23, 2022, although the last confirmed sighting was on November 21 when Madalina got off the school bus. Family claims have emerged suggesting that Madalina may have been sold into child trafficking.

Despite the lack of a timely police report, Diana reported her daughter missing on December 15, 2022, when she arrived at the school for a meeting without her. In May 2024, Diana pleaded guilty to failing to report her child's disappearance and later left the country after serving her sentence. Christopher Palmiter was also convicted for failing to report Madalina’s disappearance and was sentenced to 30 months of probation.

Weekly Newsletter

News summary by melangenews

Loading...

More from United States

Doomsday Clock Reaches Record Low as Global Threats Escalate

The Doomsday Clock has been recalibrated to 89 seconds to midnight, marking the closest it has ever been to catastrophic disaster. This adjustment, announced on January 29, 2025, reflects heightened concerns over nuclear threats, the misuse of artificial intelligence, and ongoing climate change, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS). Initially established in 1947, the clock symbolizes how near humanity is to potential annihilation, adjusting its position based on global events and existential risks. The latest change comes amidst escalating tensions from the ongoing war in Ukraine and unrest in the Middle East, which experts warn could lead to nuclear conflict. “Every second’s extension may heighten the risk of global ruin," said Daniel Holz, a BAS scientist. The clock was previously set at 90 seconds to midnight in 2023, driven by similar fears associated with geopolitical instability and environmental challenges. The BAS underscores the urgent need for global leaders to address these threats proactively to avert disaster.
US

OpenAI Pursues $40 Billion Funding Amid Market Competition

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is reportedly seeking $40 billion in new funding, aiming to elevate its valuation to $340 billion. According to the Wall Street Journal, Japan's SoftBank is leading this funding effort, negotiating an investment of between $15 billion and $25 billion. This potential investment would mark SoftBank's largest backing of OpenAI. The funding drive comes on the heels of market disruption caused by Chinese startup DeepSeek, which recently launched a competitive chatbot developed at a significantly lower cost compared to U.S. counterparts. As reported by the Financial Times, the funding plan follows OpenAI's previous round completed just three months ago, which valued the company at $157 billion. The new funds would aid OpenAI in fulfilling its $18 billion commitment to the Stargate initiative announced by former President Donald Trump, intended to bolster artificial intelligence infrastructure in the U.S. SoftBank’s investment may exceed $40 billion as it continues to pivot towards AI technologies. Shares of SoftBank rose by 3% following these reports.
US

Police Seek Suspect in Broad Daylight Stabbing in East Hollywood

Los Angeles police are pursuing a suspect following a violent stabbing incident that took place during midday on January 18. The attack occurred near Santa Monica Boulevard and Edgemont Street, where a man approached a woman from behind and stabbed her multiple times, according to officials from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Surveillance footage shows the assailant brandishing a weapon and striking the victim in the back before fleeing on foot. Investigators reported that the victim was walking with two companions at the time of the attack. After the stabbing, the suspect ran toward the Vermont/Santa Monica MTA station. In a bid to identify the attacker, the LAPD has released a photograph taken from the surveillance footage. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the LAPD at 213-484-3631. The incident has raised concerns about public safety in the area, and police are increasing patrols in response to residents' worries about violent crimes.
US