The mother of the missing 9-year-old California girl, Melodee Buzzard, Ashlee Buzzard, appears in court on Wednesday on a felony false imprisonment charge unrelated to her daughter’s disappearance. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the legal case against Buzzard is separate from the investigation into Melodee’s whereabouts.
Ashlee Buzzard faces the charge after an alleged incident at her Lompoc home on November 6, weeks after her daughter was last seen. The sheriff’s office stated that the case is distinct from the ongoing search for Melodee, noting that Buzzard has not provided a verifiable explanation for her daughter’s absence and has remained uncooperative. Authorities began investigating Melodee’s disappearance on October 14 after a school official reported her prolonged absence and failed to account for her presence.
Officials confirmed that Melodee’s whereabouts remain unknown and are the focus of a broader investigation. Surveillance footage released by the sheriff’s office showed Ashlee and Melodee wearing wigs at a rental location in Lompoc, suggesting an attempt to avoid recognition while traveling. The sheriff’s office also noted that Ashlee left California with Melodee on October 7, driving a rented Chevrolet Malibu with plates that were later swapped for a New York tag believed to be false.
Tyler Brewer, a court officer who has known Buzzard for years, described her behavior as paranoid and mentally deteriorating, noting that she has changed significantly since his initial acquaintance with her. Brewer recounted an incident where Buzzard locked the doors and retrieved a box cutter after sharing information she seemed to regret disclosing, preventing him from leaving. He later contacted authorities and described Buzzard as a ‘totally different person’ from when he first met her.
During her court appearance, Ashlee Buzzard was dressed in a long-knit cardigan and had her hair tied back in a ponytail, a noticeable change from her previous appearance. The court proceeding was brief, and attorneys are moving forward with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday, when both sides will present evidence. A judge will then decide if the felony case proceeds to trial.
Buzzard was charged on November 7 in connection with the incident involving Brewer and was released under conditions that included wearing an ankle monitor and avoiding contact with him. Her mother, Lori Miranda, told NewsNation that she has not spoken with Ashlee since 2023 and described a troubled past marked by instability and domestic violence, including periods of homelessness during Ashlee’s childhood.
Melodee is described as 4 feet to 4 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 60 to 100 pounds, with brown curly hair and brown eyes. The sheriff’s office urges anyone with information about her whereabouts to call (805) 681-4150. Fox News Digital reached out to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and Buzzard’s lawyer for comment, but no additional details were provided in the report.