The mother of missing California child Melodee Buzzard has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of felony false imprisonment, even as the hunt for her daughter persists.
In a recent development, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles, a judge decided on Wednesday to release Ashlee Buzzard from incarceration, mandating her to wear a GPS tracking device. Her release comes with stipulations, including a prohibition on contacting the alleged victim of the false imprisonment and a ban on owning any weapons.
Buzzard’s arrest occurred on November 7, following allegations by her acquaintance, Tyler Brewer, who claimed she confined him with a box cutter when he attempted to leave her residence in Lompoc.
As previously detailed by CrimeOnline, Brewer recounted that Ashlee Buzzard began exhibiting erratic behavior on November 6, during his visit to her home. She purportedly accused him of collaborating with authorities to return 9-year-old Melodee, missing since the previous month, to her paternal relatives.
Melodee’s father tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident when she was just an infant. According to Melodee’s aunt, as shared on “Crime Stories,” the paternal side of the family has not had contact with Melodee for several years.
Brewer, who describes himself as a “legal document assistant, process server, mandated reporter, and perceived officer of the court,” stated that he initially reached out to Buzzard to offer his help in locating her missing daughter.
According to ABC News, Brewer said he has known Buzzard since around 2014, but didn’t have a lot of contact with her until Melodee disappeared.
Brewer said Buzzard locked several locks on her door to prevent him from leaving.
“Ms. Buzzard became visibly distressed after sharing information she appeared to regret disclosing,” Brewer said in a statement.
“A box cutter was produced, and despite multiple requests to be allowed to exit the home, I was not immediately permitted to leave.”
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office previously said the arrest is not connected to Melodee’s disappearance but declined to provide additional information.
The prosecution called Buzzard a flight risk and unsuccessfully pushed for her to remain behind bars. They pointed out that she used wigs for disguise and switched license plates on a rental car to avoid detection.
The judge said that the current case is separate from her missing daughter’s case. Buzzard is due back in court on November 19.
Meanwhile, the search for Melodee continues.
Brewer reportedly said that Melodee could be in Utah, adding that Ashlee Buzzard that she told him where she left her, but he doesn’t know if it’s true.
The sheriff’s office said Buzzard rented a car in Lompoc, and embarked on a cross-country trip on October 7, with possible stops in Kansas and Nebraska.
Security footage placed both Ashlee Buzzard and Melodee at the car rental business while wearing wigs that same day.
The rental car, described as a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, initially had California license plate 9MNG101. On October 8, Buzzard allegedly changed it to New York license plate HCG9677.
“It is unknown when the plate was installed or whether additional plates were used at other times during travel. The New York plate seen on the car does not belong to the vehicle or to Ashlee,” the sheriff’s office said.
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.
Police believe Ashlee Buzzard drove through the following locations before returning home to Lompoc without Melodee.
- Green River, Utah
- Panguitch, Utah
- Northwest Arizona
- Primm, Nevada
- Rancho Cucamonga, California
Authorities are now asking businesses and residents and in the aforementioned areas to look at surveillance footage from October 9 and 10.
Before returning the car on October 10, Ashlee Buzzard put the California plate back on the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.
Anyone with information regarding Melodee’s whereabouts is urged to call Santa Barbara County investigators at 805-681-4150. Anonymous calls can be made to the tip line at 805-681-4171. Contact the FBI at 800-225-5324.
Anonymous tipsters can also share information online to the sheriff’s office.
Read additional coverage on Melodee Buzzard
[Feature Photo: Santa Barbara County police]
