Ashlee Buzzard, a mother from California, appeared in a Santa Barbara County courtroom on Friday as she was formally charged with the first-degree murder of her 9-year-old daughter.

During the morning session at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court, Buzzard pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the death of her daughter, Melodee Buzzard. Judge John F. McGregor ruled that she would remain in custody without the option of bail.

The courtroom was filled with audible gasps and cries as the plea was entered by Buzzard’s public defender, according to a report by The New York Post.

Prosecutors announced they would not pursue the death penalty in this case but intend to seek a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, as reported by CNN.

Previous reports from CrimeOnline indicated that Melodee’s remains were discovered on December 6 by a couple taking photographs near a dirt road in Wayne County, Utah, close to East State Route 24. This discovery led the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office to contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities are awaiting DNA results to confirm the identity of the remains, as decomposition has complicated the process. Officials noted that it seems Melodee had been deceased for several months.

Santa Barbara Sheriff Bill Brown said during a Tuesday press conference that the Melodee had “gunshot wounds to the head.”

Investigators found an expended cartridge case inside Buzzard’s home during an October 30 search. They also found  “a live round of similar ammunition” inside a vehicle she had rented.

Authorities took Ashlee Buzzard into custody Tuesday morning, at her Vandenberg Village home.

Brown called the killing “cold-blooded” with “criminally sophisticated premeditation and heartlessness.”

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said Buzzard rented a car in Lompoc, and embarked on a cross-country trip on October 7.

Security footage placed both Ashlee Buzzard and Melodee at the car rental business while wearing wigs that same day.

According to the sheriff’s office, Melodee was last seen on October 9, between the Colorado–Utah border, on a return route.

“Somewhere along that route is where we know Ashlee was no longer with Melodee,” Raquel Zick, Public Information Officer with SBCSO, said.

Investigators said they now believe that Melodee died shortly after the October 9 stop. So far, the motive is unknown and authorities do not have the murder weapon.

Melodee had been reported missing on October 14 after Lompoc Unified School District employees said she failed to pick assignments for an independent study program. Her mother remained uncooperative when questioned and offered no valid explanation for her daughter’s disappearance.

Ashlee Buzzard is believed to have acted alone.

Meanwhile, Melodee’s paternal grandmother, Lily Dennes, told reporters Friday that she is enraged at the not guilty plea, while describing Melodee as a “lovable” child.

During Friday’s hearing, McGregor issued a temporary gag order on the case, to prevent the sheriff’s office from discussing additional details.

Buzzard’s next hearing has been set for January 7. Check back for updates.

Read additional coverage on Melodee Buzzard

[Feature Photo: Santa Barbara County police]