Missing California girl Melodee Buzzard’s mother arrested

(KRON) — On Friday detectives arrested the mother of a missing California girl, 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard.

Ashlee Buzzard, 40, was arrested by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office detectives on suspicion of felony false imprisonment. The victim was not Melodee, who remains missing, the sheriff’s office clarified.

“Sheriff’s detectives have arrested 40-year-old Ashlee Buzzard on charges unrelated to the ongoing search for her missing 9-year-old daughter. Detectives learned of a recent incident where Ashlee prevented a victim from leaving a location, against their will, which constitutes false imprisonment,” the sheriff’s office wrote.

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The mother was booked into jail with bail set at $100,000.

Investigators declined to release more details about the alleged crime that Ashlee Buzzard was arrested for. Detectives said they remain focused on finding Melodee and confirming that she is safe.

Before she went missing in mid-October, Melodee was homeschooled and lived in Vandenberg Village near Lompoc, Calif. School district officials reported the girl’s “prolonged absence,” triggering concerns.

On October 14, deputies went to the mother and daughter’s home on Mars Avenue. A search of the residence confirmed Melodee was not there. Ashlee Buzzard was “uncooperative,” and she refused to provide any information about her daughter’s current whereabouts or wellbeing, according to SBCSO.

Melodee was seen with her mother on surveillance video October 7, when Ashlee Buzzard rented a Chevrolet Malibu in Lompoc, the sheriff’s office said. As the pair traveled outside of California, the mother allegedly switched the Malibu’s license plate with a fake plate.

The sheriff’s office released the following timeline:

• Ashlee Buzzard left California with Melodee on October 7 driving a rented white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu that initially displayed California license plate 9MNG101.
• Detectives believe Ashlee and Melodee traveled as far as Nebraska, with a return route that included Kansas.
• On October 8 the Malibu was observed with a New York license plate: HCG9677. The plate does not belong to the vehicle or Ashlee, and is believed to have been used as a false or switched plate to avoid detection. When the Malibu was returned to the Lompoc rental agency, the original California plate was back on the vehicle.
• Detectives have confirmed that Melodee was last seen on October 9, 2025, on video surveillance in the region between the Colorado–Utah border.
• Detectives believe the Malibu traveled through the following areas on or around October 9, 2025: Green River, Utah, Panguitch, Utah, Northwest Arizona, Primm, Nevada, Rancho Cucamonga, California.

As of Friday afternoon, Melodee is still considered an at-risk missing child. She is 4 feet, 6 inches tall, weighs 60 pounds, and has brown curly hair.

FBI agents are assisting with the multi-state search. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Chris Gotschall said, “In cases like this, every detail matters and it is invaluable to have additional resources and specialized expertise. Collaboration with our federal partners allows us to ensure we’re using every available tool to help bring resolution to this case.”

Members of the public who have seen Melodee or who may have information about her whereabouts are urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office through the following methods:

• Detectives Line: 805-681-4150

• Online Tips: www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/

• Anonymous Tip Line: 805-681-4171