The search for a missing 9-year-old girl from California has been hampered by her mother’s lack of cooperation, according to authorities.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has reported that Ashlee Buzzard has not been assisting in the search for her daughter, Melodee Buzzard, who disappeared in August in Lompoc.
As reported by SFGate, concerns arose in October when a school official noticed that Melodee, who is homeschooled, had not collected any assignments after being enrolled in an independent study program.
The sheriff’s office stated that the last confirmed sighting of Melodee by Lompoc Unified School District staff was in August, when her mother registered her for the program.
“We commend the Lompoc Unified School District for identifying the issue, reaching out to authorities, and continuing to support the investigation,” said Lt. Chris Gotschall of the sheriff’s office.
“This crucial development helps us close a key gap in the timeline of Melodee’s last known whereabouts, bringing us closer to understanding her disappearance.”
When officers arrived at the family home, in the 500 block of Mars Avenue in Vandenberg Village, they spoke with Ashlee Buzzard but did not see Melodee.
They returned to the home for follow-ups, but could not find her, and her mother didn’t offer valid explanations. Police subsequently carried out a search warrant at the home but have been unable to find the child, KSBY reports.
Cal Coast Times reports that Melodee’s father died in a motorcycle crash when she was an infant, and her mother has been her primary caregiver.
Family members have reportedly expressed concerns about Ashlee Buzzard’s mental health and said they have not seen Melodee in four years.
The provided photo was taken around two years ago.
“I am horrified for my little niece, I can’t imagine what she’s gone through,” Vicky Shade, Melodee’s aunt, told the Los Angeles Times. “This does not sound good. I just want to know if she’s OK. We need to find her.”
“Ashlee is mentally unstable and my mom tried to get custody or at least grandparent rights to visit Melodee because she [Ashlee] wasn’t letting our side of the family see her.”
The sheriff’s office said the case, at this time, is not a criminal investigation.
Anyone with information regarding Buzzard’s whereabouts is asked to call Santa Barbara County investigators at 805-681-4150. Anonymous calls can be made to the tip line at 805-681-4171.
[Feature Photo: Santa Barbara County police]
