Ashlee Buzzard Arrested on Unrelated Charges in Disappearance of 9-Year-Old Daughter, Investigation Continues

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced they have arrested the mother of the missing 9-year-old girl from Lompoc on unrelated charges.

On Friday, November 7, detectives arrested 40-year-old Ashlee Buzzard on charges unrelated to the ongoing search for her missing daughter, Melodee Buzzard.

Detectives learned of a recent incident where Ashlee prevented a victim from leaving a location, against their will which constitutes false imprisonment. This crime is not connected to the ongoing search for Melodee, however, detectives are unable to fully outline the crime as it would impede their ongoing investigation, the Sheriff’s Office states.

Detectives arrested Ashlee on Friday on a warrant for a felony charge of false imprisonment. She will be booked at the Northern Branch Jail with bail set at $100,000. Her booking photo does not meet the criteria for public release and will not be distributed, the Sheriff’s Office states.

“Although this arrest occurred during the course of the missing person investigation, it is not directly related to Melodee’s disappearance. Sheriff’s detectives remain fully focused on locating Melodee and confirming her safety,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.

Surveillance Video Released

On Thursday, November 6, Sheriff’s detectives released more information, including a portion of the surveillance video from October 7, 2025, and updated investigative details indicating that Ashlee Buzzard may have changed her appearance during travel.

The below video footage was captured on October 7, 2025, at a rental car location in Lompoc, California. The footage corresponds to previously released still images and shows both Ashlee and Melodee wearing wigs.

Investigators also believe that Ashlee swapped wigs throughout the trip, changing to a darker wig that is similar in color and style to the one Melodee was seen wearing. This change in appearance is believed to have been intentional to avoid recognition during travel.

Summary of Previously Released Information

The Sheriff’s Office began its investigation on October 14, 2025, when a school administrator reported Melodee’s prolonged absence. Deputies attempted to locate Melodee and her mother, Ashlee, at their residence in Lompoc but were only able to speak with Ashlee, who provided no verifiable explanation for Melodee’s whereabouts. A search of the residence confirmed Melodee was not there.

Through their investigation, detectives confirmed the following:

• Ashlee left California with Melodee on October 7, 2025, 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.
• Beginning October 8, 2025, 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. Ashlee has continued to refuse cooperation and has not confirmed Melodee’s location or welfare.

On October 31st, the Sheriff’s Office stated that detectives along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) served follow-up search warrants at the home of Ashlee Buzzard, as well as a storage locker and the rental car that Melodee was last seen in.

Detectives escorted Ashlee to an alternate location that would not interfere with their ability to conduct a thorough search, in anticipation of the need for access to the residence during the search for an extended time.

Travel Route – Communities Asked to Review Surveillance

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

The Sheriff’s Office has released a travel-route map and is urging businesses, gas stations, hotels, rest stops, and community members in these areas to review surveillance footage from October 9–10, 2025.

Contact Detectives With Information

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 any of the following methods:

• Detectives Line: (805) 681-4150

• Anonymous Tip Line: (805) 681-4171

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