Nine-year-old Melodee Buzzard was reported missing by a school official in Lompoc, California, more than a month ago, though authorities have determined she had not been seen for over a year. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office began investigating Melodee's disappearance on October 14th, after her absence from homeschooling was noted.
Investigators discovered that Melodee's mother, Ashlee Buzzard, had taken her on a road trip that spanned multiple states, including Nebraska. Melodee's paternal grandmother, Lilly Denes, has spoken out about Ashlee's behavior, stating that she "cut off" Melodee "from the entire world," including her family.
Denes shared that Ashlee had previously been in a mental hospital, and social services had asked Denes to care for Melodee during that time to avoid foster care. Denes began the process of adopting Melodee, but Ashlee regained custody of her daughter after her release from the hospital in 2021.
Authorities last saw Melodee on surveillance footage on October 9th near the Colorado-Utah border, traveling with her mother. Ashlee and Melodee were also seen on camera at a rental car location on October 7th, with Melodee appearing to have changed her hair color and style.
While Ashlee has been arrested on unrelated false imprisonment charges, she has not been formally charged or named a person of interest in Melodee's disappearance. The FBI is now involved in the case, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
