Topline: Melodee Buzzard was last seen October 7, and her mother has not provided a clear account of her location.
Published: October 22, 2025 8:37 am ET
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Missing child Melodee Buzzard (via Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)
LOMPOC, CA — The mother of a missing girl in California refuses to cooperate with law enforcement as the search for the child enters its second week and expands across state lines.
Melodee Buzzard, 9, was reported missing on October 14 after staff at a school in Lompoc raised concerns about her prolonged absence. She had recently enrolled in an independent learning program but failed to pick up assignments, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Deputies responding to the family’s residence found only Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, who offered “no clear explanation” about the child’s whereabouts. Authorities said Buzzard has since refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Evidence uncovered by investigators suggests Melodee was with her mother as recently as October 7. In an updated October 20 statement, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said the two traveled in a rented vehicle that may have reached Nebraska. The vehicle is no longer in Ashlee Buzzard’s possession.
The FBI has joined the investigation, according to local station KSBY, as law enforcement agencies work to determine Melodee’s location and safety.
The sheriff’s office previously stated that the last verified contact with the child occurred a year ago, and the most recent photo of her was taken two years ago, People reported.
Melodee had been homeschooled for several years before her August enrollment in the Lompoc Unified School District’s independent study program, the sheriff’s office told the Times. Her absence from school activities and lack of recent public appearances have raised concerns among officials and family members.
Relatives say they have not seen Melodee in years and are worried about her wellbeing. They allege that Buzzard has a long history of mental illness and has deliberately cut off contact with the family.
“Ashlee is mentally unstable and my mom tried to get custody or at least grandparent rights to visit Melodee because [Ashlee] wasn’t letting our side of the family see her,” Vicky Shade, Melodee’s aunt, told the Times.
Shade said her brother, Rubiell Meza, was Melodee’s father and died in a motorcycle accident shortly after the child was born. Since then, family members say Buzzard has kept Melodee isolated, limiting outside contact and refusing visitation.
On October 19, members of the local community and Melodee’s extended family gathered outside Buzzard’s home. They held signs that read “Where is Melodee?” in an effort to raise awareness and encourage Buzzard to speak with authorities.
“We’re all looking for answers, but you know, we’re showing up today so that way, you know, [Ashlee] knows we care,” Corinna Meza, Melodee’s half-sister, told KSBY. “We’re here for Melodee and hopefully [Ashlee] will come out and tell us where she’s at.”
Despite growing concern, authorities have not issued an Amber Alert. Law enforcement officials say the criteria for such an alert have not been met, citing the absence of confirmed abduction details or a known suspect. Police have not publicly stated whether Buzzard is considered a suspect in the case.
The investigation remains active, with multiple agencies involved and the search extending beyond California. Authorities are urging anyone who may have seen Melodee or had contact with Ashlee Buzzard since October 7 to come forward.
Tips can be directed to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at (805) 681-4150. Anonymous information may be submitted via the tip line at (805) 681-4171 or online at www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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FBI Joins Search for Missing 9-Year-Old California Girl
Melodee Buzzard was last seen October 7, and her mother has not provided a clear account of her location.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 22, 2025 8:37 am ET
Missing child Melodee Buzzard (via Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)
LOMPOC, CA — The mother of a missing girl in California refuses to cooperate with law enforcement as the search for the child enters its second week and expands across state lines.
Melodee Buzzard, 9, was reported missing on October 14 after staff at a school in Lompoc raised concerns about her prolonged absence. She had recently enrolled in an independent learning program but failed to pick up assignments, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Deputies responding to the family’s residence found only Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, who offered “no clear explanation” about the child’s whereabouts. Authorities said Buzzard has since refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Evidence uncovered by investigators suggests Melodee was with her mother as recently as October 7. In an updated October 20 statement, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said the two traveled in a rented vehicle that may have reached Nebraska. The vehicle is no longer in Ashlee Buzzard’s possession.
The FBI has joined the investigation, according to local station KSBY, as law enforcement agencies work to determine Melodee’s location and safety.
The sheriff’s office previously stated that the last verified contact with the child occurred a year ago, and the most recent photo of her was taken two years ago, People reported.
Melodee had been homeschooled for several years before her August enrollment in the Lompoc Unified School District’s independent study program, the sheriff’s office told the Times. Her absence from school activities and lack of recent public appearances have raised concerns among officials and family members.
Relatives say they have not seen Melodee in years and are worried about her wellbeing. They allege that Buzzard has a long history of mental illness and has deliberately cut off contact with the family.
“Ashlee is mentally unstable and my mom tried to get custody or at least grandparent rights to visit Melodee because [Ashlee] wasn’t letting our side of the family see her,” Vicky Shade, Melodee’s aunt, told the Times.
Shade said her brother, Rubiell Meza, was Melodee’s father and died in a motorcycle accident shortly after the child was born. Since then, family members say Buzzard has kept Melodee isolated, limiting outside contact and refusing visitation.
On October 19, members of the local community and Melodee’s extended family gathered outside Buzzard’s home. They held signs that read “Where is Melodee?” in an effort to raise awareness and encourage Buzzard to speak with authorities.
“We’re all looking for answers, but you know, we’re showing up today so that way, you know, [Ashlee] knows we care,” Corinna Meza, Melodee’s half-sister, told KSBY. “We’re here for Melodee and hopefully [Ashlee] will come out and tell us where she’s at.”
Despite growing concern, authorities have not issued an Amber Alert. Law enforcement officials say the criteria for such an alert have not been met, citing the absence of confirmed abduction details or a known suspect. Police have not publicly stated whether Buzzard is considered a suspect in the case.
The investigation remains active, with multiple agencies involved and the search extending beyond California. Authorities are urging anyone who may have seen Melodee or had contact with Ashlee Buzzard since October 7 to come forward.
Tips can be directed to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at (805) 681-4150. Anonymous information may be submitted via the tip line at (805) 681-4171 or online at www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
FBI Joins Search for Missing 9-Year-Old California Girl
Melodee Buzzard was last seen October 7, and her mother has not provided a clear account of her location.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 22, 2025 8:37 am ET
Missing child Melodee Buzzard (via Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)
LOMPOC, CA — The mother of a missing girl in California refuses to cooperate with law enforcement as the search for the child enters its second week and expands across state lines.
Melodee Buzzard, 9, was reported missing on October 14 after staff at a school in Lompoc raised concerns about her prolonged absence. She had recently enrolled in an independent learning program but failed to pick up assignments, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Deputies responding to the family’s residence found only Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, who offered “no clear explanation” about the child’s whereabouts. Authorities said Buzzard has since refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Evidence uncovered by investigators suggests Melodee was with her mother as recently as October 7. In an updated October 20 statement, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said the two traveled in a rented vehicle that may have reached Nebraska. The vehicle is no longer in Ashlee Buzzard’s possession.
The FBI has joined the investigation, according to local station KSBY, as law enforcement agencies work to determine Melodee’s location and safety.
The sheriff’s office previously stated that the last verified contact with the child occurred a year ago, and the most recent photo of her was taken two years ago, People reported.
Melodee had been homeschooled for several years before her August enrollment in the Lompoc Unified School District’s independent study program, the sheriff’s office told the Times. Her absence from school activities and lack of recent public appearances have raised concerns among officials and family members.
Relatives say they have not seen Melodee in years and are worried about her wellbeing. They allege that Buzzard has a long history of mental illness and has deliberately cut off contact with the family.
“Ashlee is mentally unstable and my mom tried to get custody or at least grandparent rights to visit Melodee because [Ashlee] wasn’t letting our side of the family see her,” Vicky Shade, Melodee’s aunt, told the Times.
Shade said her brother, Rubiell Meza, was Melodee’s father and died in a motorcycle accident shortly after the child was born. Since then, family members say Buzzard has kept Melodee isolated, limiting outside contact and refusing visitation.
On October 19, members of the local community and Melodee’s extended family gathered outside Buzzard’s home. They held signs that read “Where is Melodee?” in an effort to raise awareness and encourage Buzzard to speak with authorities.
“We’re all looking for answers, but you know, we’re showing up today so that way, you know, [Ashlee] knows we care,” Corinna Meza, Melodee’s half-sister, told KSBY. “We’re here for Melodee and hopefully [Ashlee] will come out and tell us where she’s at.”
Despite growing concern, authorities have not issued an Amber Alert. Law enforcement officials say the criteria for such an alert have not been met, citing the absence of confirmed abduction details or a known suspect. Police have not publicly stated whether Buzzard is considered a suspect in the case.
The investigation remains active, with multiple agencies involved and the search extending beyond California. Authorities are urging anyone who may have seen Melodee or had contact with Ashlee Buzzard since October 7 to come forward.
Tips can be directed to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at (805) 681-4150. Anonymous information may be submitted via the tip line at (805) 681-4171 or online at www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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