Mom of Missing 9-Year-Old Spotted as Deadline Nears

The Uncooperative Mother and the Mystery of Melodee Buzzard

The mother of a missing California girl, Melodee Buzzard, has been seen for the first time since authorities launched an investigation into her daughter’s disappearance. Ashlee Buzzard, 40, was spotted in Santa Maria, approximately 20 miles from her modest three-bedroom home in Lompoc, California.

In a series of unusual events, Buzzard attempted to rent a car at two different locations: Budget and Avis. According to exclusive photos from the Daily Mail, she was picked up by a friend in a black Lincoln sedan early on Wednesday morning and driven to these rental agencies. However, she was denied a rental at both locations and eventually returned home.

Moments after arriving, a car containing social workers screeched up to the house, but Buzzard once again refused to answer the door. This pattern of refusal has continued throughout the past week, with Buzzard staying holed up in her cream-painted cottage, ignoring visits from Child Protective Services (CPS) and her daughter’s extended family.

Adding to the tension, a neighbor revealed that Buzzard received a notice on Monday giving her 72 hours to either produce Melodee or reveal her whereabouts—or face arrest. As the clock ticks down, Buzzard was shadowed by six unmarked cop cars during her fruitless trip, with one parking on her quiet residential street and another stationed nearby.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department has been contacted for comment and further details. Meanwhile, police efforts to locate the 9-year-old have intensified, with the FBI joining the search on Monday. The girl was reported missing by the Lompoc School District after failing to pick up assignments for two months.

On October 7, there was a sighting of Melodee when her mother’s white Chevrolet Malibu was caught on camera heading to Nebraska—more than 1,500 miles from her California home. Buzzard returned alone in a rental car and has since remained uncooperative, refusing to provide any information about her daughter’s location or condition.

“Ashlee Buzzard remains uncooperative and has not provided detectives with any information about Melodee’s current location or condition,” the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s office stated in a Monday statement. “The primary goal of this investigation is to verify the location and welfare of Melodee Buzzard and ensure that she is safe.”

A History of Isolation and Financial Struggles

Buzzard has given Melodee a solitary lifestyle, including homeschooling and minimal involvement with her extended family. According to Melodee’s aunt, Lizabeth Meza, Buzzard had previously lost custody of Melodee due to mental health issues. Lizabeth also revealed that Buzzard had admitted to having psychological problems in her family.

“I haven’t talked to either Melodee or Ashlee in four and a half years,” Lizabeth told the Daily Mail. “Ashlee isolated herself and Melodee from the entire family, and we were told years ago that she was adopted out.”

Lizabeth also mentioned that Buzzard had declared bankruptcy after accumulating $23,000 in debts. She lived on social security payments and faced ongoing financial struggles. Recently, a case filed by Capital One in May showed that Buzzard owed $3,745.21 on a credit card she took out in January 2018 and stopped paying in September 2023.

Despite her financial hardships, Buzzard was allowed to take out a second credit card in December 2019 through First Bank and Trust. According to Crown Asset Management, she owes $2,659.71 and stopped making payments on the card in February 2023.

Her modest home in Lompoc is currently surrounded by placards left by neighbors demanding to know the whereabouts of her daughter. Despite repeated attempts by family members, including Melodee’s half-sister Corinna Meza, Buzzard continues to refuse communication.

“We don’t know any more other than that she might be in Nebraska,” Meza said. “I’ve tried to give Ashlee my number twice, but she never got in touch.”