Grandmother of missing girl talks for the first time in 8 months

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - The last time anyone saw the now 12-year-old Madalina Cojacari in public was last November as she was walking off her school bus.

After her parents failed to report any information to authorities in a timely manner, both were arrested in December.

Both parents plead not guilty Thursday.

Her stepfather, Christopher Palmiter was granted a $25,000 bond nearly ten times less than that of his wife’s, Diana Cojocari.

Outside the courthouse Thursday, Madalina’s grandmother, Rodica, who traveled from Moldova, spoke to reporters in Russian.

Just like previous court records show, Madalina’s grandmother reiterates that she believes Madalina was sold for money.

“Her Diana and Madalina are not guilty of anything and they were simply sold for a good price, like for a good amount of money,” explained Tatiana Murga, a Charlotte entrepreneur from Moscow who translated the interview for WBTV.

“She’s like, ‘I want FBI, and I want to basically, collaborate with FBI and help them put this thing to an end and basically make that criminal activity and make that criminal group stop,” she said.

Murga says Madalina’s grandmother goes on to float several theories, one of which was that Madalina might not have been the only child taken.

We’re fact-checking her claims with police.

Rodica said she is working with officials to bring Madalina home and that she loves Madalina very much.

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