Missing Child Melodee Buzzard: Mother Arrested Amid Disappearance Investigation

Santa Barbara, California—Authorities are intensifying their search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who disappeared in early October. Her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, is at the center of this investigation following what appears to be an alarming 1,000-mile trip just before returning without her daughter.

The search for Melodee commenced on October 14, after school officials in Lompoc, California, reported her absence when she had not participated in the remote study program her mother enrolled her in. Investigators later learned that Melodee was placed in an independent study program back in August, which allowed her to learn from home.

According to reports, Buzzard and Melodee utilized wigs to disguise themselves during their travels. Surveillance footage from a rental car agency showed the pair on October 7, suggesting they may have intended to evade detection across multiple states.

Detectives confirmed that during their journey, Buzzard drove through several states, including Nebraska. By the time Buzzard returned to California, she was alone with the rental car.

When officers initially visited Buzzard’s home for a welfare check on October 14, they found only Ashlee. Authorities have stated that she provided no credible explanation regarding her daughter’s whereabouts, raising further suspicions.

Recently, Buzzard was arrested on a felony charge of false imprisonment for an unrelated incident. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office stated this arrest does not directly involve Melodee’s case. Her bail has been set at $100,000. Currently, no attorney has been identified to represent her in the ongoing investigation.

Melodee’s disappearance has sparked significant concern among family members and the community. Her grandmother, Lilly Denes, expressed her devastation upon viewing the surveillance footage, urging Melodee to reach out if she is listening. “We love you. We’re here for you, and we just want you to be happy,” Denes said.

As the investigation deepens, Sheriff’s detectives are appealing to the public for any information regarding Melodee’s whereabouts. They are specifically seeking surveillance footage from businesses, gas stations, and other locations along the route taken by Buzzard and her daughter. The search for Melodee remains a high priority for law enforcement as they strive to uncover the truth behind her mysterious disappearance.