The mother of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who went missing during a recent road trip, has been arrested. Ashlee Buzzard, aged 40, faces charges related to false imprisonment, though these charges are not connected to her daughter’s disappearance.
Details of the Arrest
Ashlee Buzzard was taken into custody on Friday by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. The arrest stems from allegations of holding a person against their will. The specific circumstances of these allegations have not been disclosed. Buzzard’s bail is expected to be set at $100,000.
Authorities have noted that Ashlee Buzzard has not cooperated with the ongoing investigation into Melodee’s whereabouts. It remains unclear whether she has legal representation.
Missing Child Case Overview
Melodee Buzzard was last seen on October 9, near the Colorado-Utah border. Her mother had rented a vehicle for a road trip to Nebraska, beginning on October 7. Surveillance footage from a car rental agency in Lompoc, California, captured both Ashlee and Melodee at the start of their travels.
Timeline of Events
- October 7: Ashlee and Melodee are recorded at a rental car location in Lompoc.
- October 9: Melodee is last seen on surveillance video.
- October 10: Ashlee returns to Lompoc with the rental car, but Melodee is not with her.
- October 14: A school administrator reports Melodee’s absence, prompting a search.
Additional Information
During the road trip, the rental car’s license plate was switched with a New York plate, signaling a potential attempt to evade law enforcement. Melodee’s half-sister revealed that their father had passed away when Melodee was very young. The sibling, Corrina Meza, noted that Melodee was seldom seen even by family members.
The investigation into Melodee Buzzard’s disappearance continues, as authorities seek more information regarding her last known whereabouts.
