A California mother, Ashlee Buzzard, has been arrested on a false imprisonment charge as the search for her missing 9-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard, continues. The arrest, which occurred on Friday, is unrelated to the ongoing investigation into Melodee’s disappearance. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Ashlee was taken into custody on a felony charge of false imprisonment, which involves preventing someone from leaving a location against their will. This charge is not connected to Melodee’s case, but detectives are unable to fully describe the incident as it could hinder their investigation.
Authorities revealed that the rental car used by Ashlee and Melodee during their road trip had its license plates swapped to avoid detection. This detail came to light after a tip from the public, which led to increased scrutiny of the case. Investigators have also released video footage showing Ashlee and Melodee at a rental car location in Lompoc, California, on October 7. The footage includes both women wearing wigs, and it is believed that Ashlee changed her appearance multiple times during the trip to avoid recognition. This deliberate disguise is thought to have been a strategy to evade detection throughout their travels.
The search for Melodee has been a high-profile case, with the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office assisting local authorities in their efforts. Deputies responded to Ashlee’s home on October 14 after a school administrator reported Melodee’s extended absence, but she was not found there. The sheriff’s office described Melodee as