Mother of missing Central Coast girl arrested
The mother of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard was arrested Friday on suspicion of charges unrelated to her child’s disappearance.
Ashlee Buzzard, 40, left Lompoc with her daughter on Oct. 7 for a 48-hour road trip to Nebraska and back. Her daughter was seen on surveillance footage on Oct. 9 on their return trip, around the Colorado-Utah border, but Melodee has not been seen since.
The two were seen wearing wigs while Ashlee rented a car in Lompoc. Investigators also believe the license plate on Ashlee Buzzard’s rental car was changed to “avoid detection.”
Ashlee Buzzard has not cooperated with detectives since the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office first began its investigation on Oct. 14, when a school administrator reported Melodee’s prolonged absence from school.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office detectives learned of a recent incident where Ashlee Buzzard prevent a victim from leaving a location against their will, which constituted a suspected false imprisonment charge, the agency said in a Friday news release.
The alleged crime was not connected to the ongoing search for Melodee, the agency said, adding that it could not fully outline the crime because it would impede the ongoing investigation.
Buzzard was arrested on suspicion of felony false imprisonment and will be booked at the Northern Branch Jail with a $100,000 bail. Her booking photo will not be released because the crime she is accused of does not meet the criteria under California law.
Detectives ask anyone who may have information on Melodee Buzzard’s whereabouts to call 805-681-4150. To remain anonymous, callers can contact 805-681-4171 or submit a tip at sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip.
This story was originally published November 7, 2025 at 12:42 PM with the headline "Mother of missing Central Coast girl arrested."
