Sun Nov 09 08:20:00 UTC 2025: Missing 9-Year-Old: Mother Arrested, Investigation Reveals Disguises and Multistate Trip

Lompoc, CA – A desperate search is underway for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who has been missing for a month. The investigation has taken several unexpected turns, including the arrest of her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, 40, on a charge of false imprisonment. However, authorities stress that this charge is “not directly related” to Melodee’s disappearance, and are withholding details to protect the ongoing investigation.

Melodee was last seen on October 9th near the Colorado and Utah state line. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office reports that Ashlee Buzzard took Melodee on a three-day road trip from October 7th to 10th, traveling over 1,000 miles through at least six states. During this trip, it’s believed the mother and daughter swapped license plates and wore wigs to disguise themselves. Buzzard returned to California without her daughter.

The investigation began on October 14th, after school administrators reported Melodee’s absence from her remote learning program. According to her aunt, Lizabeth Meza, the family lost contact with Melodee years ago, after the death of her father. Authorities say Buzzard has been “uncooperative” and has provided no verifiable information about her daughter’s location or wellbeing.

Investigators are urging businesses, gas stations, hotels, and residents along the suspected travel route to review surveillance footage from October 7-10, looking for any sign of Melodee and her mother. They believe Buzzard intentionally altered their appearances during the trip to avoid recognition.

Melodee’s grandmother, Lilly Denes, pleaded with her granddaughter to reach out, saying, “We love you. We’re here for you, and we just want you to be happy.”

The FBI previously executed search warrants at Buzzard’s home, a storage locker, and the rental car used during the trip. Buzzard is currently held at the Santa Barbara County jail on $100,000 bail for the false imprisonment charge.

Anyone with information about Melodee’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

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