The disappearance of a nine-year-old California girl, last seen traveling with her mother, has taken a concerning turn as authorities reveal the rental car’s license plates were switched to evade detection.

Melodee Buzzard from Lompoc, California, remains missing as of Tuesday. Surveillance footage captured her last known appearance on October 9, 2025, in the area between the Colorado-Utah border, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. The office also noted that her mother, 35-year-old Ashlee Buzzard, has been uncooperative, failing to disclose Melodee’s whereabouts or condition.

Investigations revealed that Ashlee and Melodee departed California on October 7, 2025, in a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, originally registered with California license plate 9MNG101. The duo reportedly traveled to Nebraska, with their return trip covering parts of Kansas, as per the sheriff’s office.

On October 8, 2025, the Malibu was spotted bearing a New York license plate, HCG9677. The timing of this plate change remains unclear, and it’s unknown if other plates were used during their journey. The New York plate did not match the vehicle or Ashlee, suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to conceal their movements. Upon the vehicle’s return to a rental agency in Lompoc, it had its original California plate.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has released a new surveillance image showing Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard at a rental car location in Lompoc, California, marking the start of their journey on October 7, 2025.

Authorities suspect that the rental car traversed various locations including Green River and Panguitch in Utah, northwest Arizona, Primm in Nevada, and Rancho Cucamonga in California around October 9.

“Detectives are seeking anyone who may have had contact with Ashlee or Melodee at any point from October 9-10, 2025, or any video footage from their route of travel,” the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office released an image of Melodee Buzzard “captured at a local car rental business” on Oct. 7, 2025. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office )

The sheriff’s office said investigators are sharing additional surveillance images of Ashlee and Melodee that were captured at a rental car location in Lompoc at the start of their road trip on Oct. 7.

“Both Ashlee and Melodee appear to be wearing wigs with Melodee’s appearing darker and straighter than her natural hair,” the sheriff’s office said.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office previously said its investigation into the disappearance of Melodee Buzzard began on Oct. 14 after a school administrator reported her extended absence. Deputies then responded to her home in Lompoc and encountered her mother, Ashlee, but “Melodee was not at the home, and no verifiable explanation for her whereabouts was provided,” according to the office.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said a surveillance image showed Melodee Buzzard “wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up and what appears to be a wig that is darker and straighter than her natural hair.” (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)

Melodee Buzzard is described by police as being around 4 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 60 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office is assisting in the search.