A California mother, whose young daughter is missing and considered “at-risk,” briefly appeared in court on Wednesday facing an unrelated felony charge of false imprisonment.
Thirty-five-year-old Ashlee Buzzard is accused of an incident at her Lompoc residence on November 6, occurring several weeks after her nine-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard, disappeared.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office clarified that the charge against Ashlee Buzzard is distinct from the ongoing investigation into Melodee’s disappearance.
The investigation into Melodee’s whereabouts began on October 14 after a school official raised concerns about her extended absence. According to deputies, Ashlee Buzzard has not provided a credible explanation for her daughter’s disappearance and has been uncooperative, failing to confirm Melodee’s safety.
Despite the urgency of the search for Melodee, Ashlee Buzzard remains unhelpful in shedding light on her daughter’s location, as authorities continue their efforts to find the vulnerable child.
Tyler Brewer, a court officer familiar with Buzzard for many years, informed NewsNation that Ashlee disclosed Melodee’s whereabouts and the person she was with. However, Brewer expressed doubts about the reliability of this information, given her erratic behavior at the time. He suspects that Melodee might be in Utah.
Brewer told ABC News that during a visit to Buzzard’s home, she appeared distressed after sharing information she “seemed to regret disclosing,” then locked the doors and retrieved a box cutter, preventing him from leaving. He said she eventually let him go, and he immediately contacted authorities.
Brewer described Buzzard as paranoid and mentally deteriorating, saying she’s “a totally different person” from when he first met her.
Melodee Buzzard, 9, remains missing after traveling with her mother Ashlee through multiple states before the car was returned to a rental agency. Ashlee Buzzard appeared in court Wednesday in an unrelated case. (KKFX)
Wednesday’s hearing in Lompoc Superior Court lasted less than a minute, according to KSBY.
Buzzard appeared in court dressed in a long-knit cardigan and with her hair tied back in a ponytail, a noticeable change from her short curls during her Nov. 12 arraignment. The outlet noted she also avoided eye contact as she walked to the counsel table alongside her public defender.
Attorneys confirmed they are moving forward with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday, when both sides will present evidence. A judge will then decide if the felony case proceeds to trial.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office released a surveillance image, left, of Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard that it says was captured at a rental car location in Lompoc, California, at the start of the road trip on Oct. 7, 2025. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office/FBI)
Buzzard was charged Nov. 7 in connection with the incident involving Brewer. She was later released under conditions that include wearing an ankle monitor and avoiding contact with him.
Buzzard’s mother, Lori Miranda, told NewsNation she has not spoken with Ashlee since 2023. She described a difficult past marked by instability and domestic violence, including periods of homelessness when Ashlee was a child.
Investigators say Ashlee left California with Melodee on Oct. 7, traveling in a rented Chevrolet Malibu with California plates that were later swapped for a New York tag believed to be false.
Investigators say Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard were on a road trip when the young girl disappeared. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)
The pair reportedly drove through California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada before the car was returned to the rental agency with its original plates reattached.
Surveillance video released by the sheriff’s office shows Ashlee and Melodee wearing wigs at a Lompoc rental location. Authorities believe the disguise was intended to avoid recognition while traveling.
Melodee is described by officials as 4-feet to 4-feet, 6-inches tall, 60 to 100 pounds, with brown curly hair and brown eyes.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information about Melodee’s whereabouts to call (805) 681-4150.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and Buzzard’s lawyer for comment.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
