A missing 9-year-old girl from California was last seen near the Colorado-Utah border, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
On October 14, the Lompoc Unified School District reported to authorities that 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard had not been seen for some time. Sheriff’s officials say Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, could not provide an explanation for her daughter’s whereabouts and has been uncooperative with detectives.
Investigators are currently focusing on a road trip that Melodee and her mother took on October 7. According to sheriff’s officials, Ashlee Buzzard rented a car—a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu with a California license plate number 9MNG101—and drove off with Melodee.
Detectives believe the pair traveled as far as Nebraska during the trip, with a return route that included Kansas. Beginning October 8, investigators say the same car was seen with a New York license plate number HCG9677. Officials suspect the license plate was changed to avoid detection. By the time Ashlee returned the vehicle to the rental agency in Lompoc, the original California license plate had reportedly been reinstalled.
When Ashlee returned home from the trip on October 10, Melodee was no longer with her. However, sheriff’s officials report that the little girl was last seen on surveillance video on October 9 near the Colorado-Utah border during the return trip to California.
Investigators believe the Chevrolet Malibu traveled through several areas on or around October 9, and they are seeking additional surveillance footage or witnesses in the following locations:
– Green River, Utah
– Panguitch, Utah
– Northwest Arizona
– Primm, Nevada
– Rancho Cucamonga, California
Sheriff’s officials also released a new surveillance image from the local rental car agency showing Ashlee and Melodee together on October 7. Investigators believe both are wearing wigs in the photo, with Melodee’s wig appearing darker and straighter than her natural curly hair.
Melodee Buzzard is described as approximately 4 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 60 pounds, with curly brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about Melodee’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office immediately.
https://www.denver7.com/news/state-news/missing-california-9-year-old-last-seen-near-colorado-utah-border