The investigation into the disappearance of 9-year-old California girl Melodee Buzzard took another turn when her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, was arrested on a felony charge of false imprisonment. Authorities emphasized that the arrest is not directly linked to Melodee’s disappearance, though it occurred while detectives continued to search for the missing child. The case has drawn national attention due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the girl’s disappearance, including surveillance images that appear to show her wearing a disguise and a multi-state road trip that investigators are now closely scrutinizing.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, investigators uncovered evidence that Ashlee Buzzard had recently prevented an individual from leaving a location against their will. Because that investigation is ongoing, officials have released very few details about the alleged victim or the nature of the incident. What is clear, however, is that the alleged crime took place shortly before authorities intensified their search for Melodee.
Melodee Buzzard was reported missing on October 14, but not by any family member. Instead, a school administrator called law enforcement after the child had been absent for an extended period with no explanation. When authorities arrived at Ashlee Buzzard’s residence, they found no sign of Melodee and did not receive a verifiable account of her whereabouts. Since then, investigators have issued multiple public bulletins, served search warrants, and analyzed surveillance footage in hopes of locating the missing nine-year-old.
The sequence of events leading up to her disappearance begins on October 7, when Buzzard and her daughter embarked on a road trip in a rented vehicle. Surveillance footage captured Melodee wearing what authorities have described as a wig and a hooded sweatshirt, a detail believed to indicate an effort to conceal her identity. Law enforcement officials now believe multiple wigs were used throughout the trip and that the vehicle may have been driven with a switched or false license plate at various points.
After traveling through several states, the rental car was later returned to the family’s home in Lompoc, California, on October 10. Melodee, however, was not seen at that time. Surveillance footage appears to place the child between the Colorado-Utah state line the day before, and her exact location since remains unknown. In public statements, the sheriff’s office has stated that her mother has been uncooperative, raising additional concerns about the girl’s welfare.
The ongoing search for Melodee Buzzard continues to be the primary focus of investigators, who are urging members of the public to report any possible sightings or information that might assist in locating her. Meanwhile, Buzzard remains in custody on the unrelated false imprisonment charge, with bail set at $100,000. It has not yet been confirmed whether she has legal representation.
The Disappearance and the Cross-State Road Trip
The timeline of events begins on October 7, when Ashlee Buzzard rented a vehicle from a car rental agency in Lompoc. Surveillance images show Melodee Buzzard standing alongside her mother wearing a hood pulled over her head and what investigators describe as a dark, straight wig. According to the sheriff’s office, the disguise may have been used to avoid recognition during travel.
Over the next three days, the pair traveled across several states, including Nebraska, Utah, Kansas, Arizona, and Nevada. During this period, investigators believe that Buzzard changed wigs multiple times. One detail that has raised additional scrutiny is the possibility that the rental car was at times driven with a false or switched license plate, suggesting an attempt to avoid detection.
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Melodee Buzzard was last positively identified on surveillance video near the Utah-Colorado border on October 9. Authorities have not specified the exact location for investigative reasons. When Buzzard returned to the family home on October 10, she was alone. Despite subsequent contact with authorities, she did not provide a clear explanation for Melodee’s location or condition.
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The child was officially reported missing on October 14, days after she was last seen on video. The report came not from a family member, but from a school administrator concerned about the prolonged and unexplained absence. This detail has heightened public concern and contributed to increasing scrutiny of Ashlee Buzzard’s role in the case.
Search Efforts and FBI Involvement
As the search for Melodee Buzzard intensified, the FBI joined the investigation to provide federal resources and cross-state coordination. Search warrants were executed on Buzzard’s residence, a storage facility, and the rental vehicle. Investigators have not released details on what was collected during these searches, citing the need to protect the integrity of the case.
Authorities have used press conferences and public releases to encourage anyone with information to come forward. They have circulated surveillance images and timeline details in hopes of triggering public recognition. The multi-state nature of the case has required collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as interaction with law enforcement agencies in other states where the pair may have traveled.
Despite these efforts, no public confirmation has been made regarding the girl’s current location or condition. As of the latest updates, authorities have not stated whether they believe Melodee is in imminent danger, but the sheriff’s office has repeatedly emphasized the urgency of locating her.
The sheriff’s department has also noted that Buzzard has not been cooperative with investigators seeking to confirm the girl’s safety. This lack of cooperation has led law enforcement to treat the case with heightened caution and persistence. While missing child cases can vary widely in complexity, the combination of the cross-state travel, the disguises, and the absence of clear explanations has made this investigation particularly challenging.
The Arrest on an Unrelated Charge
On Friday, detectives arrested Ashlee Buzzard on a felony false imprisonment charge. According to the sheriff’s office, the alleged crime occurred recently and involved Buzzard preventing an individual from leaving an undisclosed location. Officials have stated that details are being withheld as the investigation into that incident continues and because revealing more could interfere with broader investigative operations.
Law enforcement officials have been clear in stating that this arrest is not directly related to Melodee’s disappearance. However, it occurred during an active missing child investigation and may affect investigators’ access to and interactions with Buzzard moving forward. At this time, authorities have not suggested that the false imprisonment charge has provided any new information about Melodee’s whereabouts.
Buzzard is being held in Santa Barbara County with bail set at $100,000. Officials have not confirmed whether she has obtained or been assigned legal counsel. Public court records and charging documents are expected to provide additional detail once they become available, though it is unclear when that will occur given investigative restrictions.
The sheriff’s office has reiterated that the primary focus remains locating Melodee and confirming her safety. The department has encouraged the public to continue providing any possible information related to sightings or contact. Individuals can provide tips directly to the department or anonymously.
Members of the public, particularly those in the western United States where the pair traveled, are urged to remain aware of the case. Surveillance images, location data, and travel records will continue to play an important role as law enforcement works to reconstruct the timeline and identify potential witnesses. The search remains active, and investigators have stated they will provide additional updates as the case develops.