The mother of a missing 9-year-old girl considered “at-risk” reportedly confided to a man—whom she is now accused of unlawfully detaining—that she knows her daughter’s whereabouts.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office initiated a search for young Melodee Buzzard on October 14, following a report from a school official about her extended absence. Authorities noted that Ashlee, Melodee’s mother, could not provide a credible account of her daughter’s location. They further added that Ashlee has been “uncooperative” and has not verified Melodee’s safety or whereabouts.
Tyler Brewer, identifying himself as a court officer, stated that Ashlee shared information with him that she seemed to regret. According to Brewer, Ashlee’s demeanor shifted to distress after her disclosure, leading her to brandish a box cutter and barricade him inside her residence, as reported by ABC News.
In an interview with NewsNation, Brewer mentioned that Ashlee disclosed both Melodee’s location and the identity of the person accompanying her.
A surveillance image from October 7, 2025, shows Ashlee Buzzard, the mother of Melodee Buzzard, at a car rental business in Lompoc, California. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)
Despite this revelation, Brewer expressed doubts about the authenticity of the details Ashlee provided. Subsequently, Buzzard faced charges of false imprisonment on November 7. While a judge granted her release from jail, she must wear an ankle monitor and is prohibited from contacting Brewer.
Lily Denes, Melodee’s paternal grandmother, told KTLA she was frustrated that Ashlee was released from jail, saying that the 9-year-old’s name wasn’t brought up during the court hearing.
“They let her go, and they didn’t even [say] anything about the baby missing,” Denes said, adding she was “really mad.”
Melodee Buzzard is shown here in a photo that the FBI says was taken in 2023. (FBI)
Denes also claimed that Ashlee was previously treated for mental health issues.
“She has a record of being in the loony hospital in Camarillo twice … I knew she was an odd lady; I knew it from the first time I met her. I knew something was wrong with her,” Denes said.
According to authorities, Ashlee left California with her 9-year-old daughter on Oct. 7 and traveled as far as Nebraska in a Chevrolet Malibu bearing a California license plate, with the return trip including Kansas.
On Oct. 8, the Malibu was seen with a New York license plate. Detectives said the New York plate doesn’t belong to Ashlee and they think it was used as a “false or switched plate to avoid detection.” When the car was returned to the rental car agency in California, the original license plate was allegedly placed back on the car.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office released a new image of Melodee Buzzard “captured at a local car rental business on October 7.” (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office )
Investigators believe that the Malibu traveled through several areas between California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada on or around Oct. 9, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Somewhere along that route is where we know Ashlee was no longer with Melodee,” Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Raquel Zick told KUTV.
Investigators say Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard were on a road trip when the young girl disappeared. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)
Detectives released video from a rental car location in Lompoc, California, showing Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard apparently both wearing wigs.
“The footage corresponds to previously released still images and shows both Ashlee and Melodee wearing wigs. Investigators also believe that Ashlee swapped wigs throughout the trip, changing to a darker wig that is similar in color and style to the one Melodee was seen wearing. This change in appearance is believed to have been intentional to avoid recognition during travel,” the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said “Melodee is 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,” and that, “investigators believe the wig may have been used to alter her appearance.” (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)
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.
Individuals with information related to Melodee’s whereabouts are asked to contact (805) 681-4150.
Fox News Digital reached out to Ashlee’s attorney for comment.
