The mother of a 9-year-old girl who was reported missing earlier this month after she had not been seen in more than a year traveled with her daughter out of state days before the investigation was launched but returned home without her.
On Wednesday, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office released new details about the disappearance of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who was reported missing earlier this month after school administrators noticed they hadn’t heard from her in over a year.
Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, has been uncooperative with the investigation, officials said, and has been unable to provide a satisfactory answer for her daughter’s location or safety.
Now, after authorities were able to confirm a sighting as recent as August, detectives say they’ve since uncovered evidence that Melodee was with her mother as recently as Oct. 7, a week before the investigation was launched.
The Sheriff’s Office says Ashlee Buzzard rented a car and took her daughter on a road trip, potentially going as far east as Nebraska. But days later, only Ashlee returned to their home in Vandenberg Village in northern Santa Barbara County.
The rental vehicle they were traveling in, which has since been returned, was identified as a white Chevrolet Malibu with the license plate number 9MNG101.
The investigation into her disappearance was formally launched on Oct. 14, and detectives served a search warrant at their home and surrounding areas the following day. The FBI was also looped into the investigation last week, officials said.
Throughout the search and quest for answers, detectives say Ashlee Buzzard has not cooperated with the investigation as her daughter remains an “at-risk” missing person.
Melodee is described as being around 4 feet 6 inches and weighing around 60 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said his department shares in the concern of the local community, who is anxious to find the missing elementary school student and bring her home. He thanked local media for helping to spread her photo and story, which has already led to the confirmation fo the previous sighting in August.
That photo, officials said, was taken around two years ago, and Melodee’s appearance may have changed in the years since.
“We are hopeful that Melodee might be with someone – perhaps an extended family member or friend – who may not be aware of the circumstances of her disappearance,” Brown said in a news release Wednesday.
Brown also urged the public not to attempt to conduct their own “searches or investigations,” as that could only complicate and disrupt ongoing efforts by law enforcement.
“The most effective way to help is by sharing factual information directly with detectives,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Anyone who has seen Melodee Buzzard, or has had contact with her mother since Oct. 7, is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at 805-681-4150. Anonymoys tips can be provided online or by calling 805-681-4171.
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