New insights have emerged about the ongoing search for Melodee Buzzard, a 9-year-old girl from California, who vanished on October 7 while traveling with her mother.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office revealed on Monday that Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, embarked on a journey that stretched from California to the Midwest, reaching as far as Nebraska and Kansas.

A key detail in the investigation is the alteration of the rental car’s license plate. Initially, the white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Ashlee, displayed California plates numbered 9MNG101. By October 8, these were replaced with a New York plate marked HCG9677. The timeline for this switch remains uncertain, as does the possibility of additional plate changes during their travels.

Interestingly, when the vehicle was eventually returned to the rental agency in Lompoc, California, it once again bore its original California license plates.

Authorities say that when it was returned to the car rental business in Lompoc, California, it had the original California plates back on.

In the release, they reiterated that Ashlee Buzzard has been uncooperative with the investigation and has not confirmed the well-being or whereabouts of her daughter.

Investigators are working with agencies across the country and confirmed Melodee was last seen Oct. 9 in surveillance video on the return route, in an area around the Colorado–Utah border.

They also determined she was with her mother while driving through Green River, Utah, Panguitch, Utah, Northwest Arizona, Primm, Nevada, and Rancho Cucamonga, California, on or around Oct. 9.

Melodee Buzzard is approximately 4 feet 6 inches tall, 60 pounds, with brown curly hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the sheriff’s office via the detectives line: 805-681-4150, the anonymous tip line: 805-681-4171, or online tips via www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/.