Lucy Devine
Melodee Buzzard went missing around a month ago, after heading off on what appeared to be a road trip with her mom, Ashlee Buzzard back in October.
Although Buzzard returned from the trip alone three days later, nine-year-old Melodee has not been seen since.
Authorities say that Buzzard has not yet provided a 'verifiable explanation' as to where Melodee is, after the pair traveled more than 1,000 miles away from their home state of California and as far as Nebraska.
Adding to the mystery surrounding Melodee's disappearance, both were spotted on surveillance footage during the road trip, wearing what appear to be wigs.
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Meanwhile, the plate on Buzzard's rental car seems to change during the journey, before being returned to the rental company with its original plates.
With no explanation so far as to where Melodee is, police are urging those who live or work on the route that the mother and daughter took, to come forward and assist with their enquiries.
Here's what we know so far.
Melodee was last seen on October 9 while on a road trip with her mom.
The nine-year-old was later reported by her school after they noticed she had not been active in the remote studying program that Ashlee had enrolled her in, in August.
An administrator asked the police to conduct a welfare check after a prolonged period of absence.
But when police headed over to the family home, there were no signs of Melodee, meanwhile Buzzard 'provided no verifiable explanation' for her daughter's whereabouts, adding that she 'has remained uncooperative and has not confirmed Melodee’s location or welfare'.
It's believed that Melodee and Buzzard left home on October 7, driving a white 2024 plate Chevrolet Malibu on rental.
The pair were seen on CCTV footage at the rental company wearing what look like wigs.
Police believe they traveled up to Nebraska before returning via Kansas.
At some point during the trip, the licence plate on the vehicle changed to a New York plate - HCG9677.
Melodee is last seen on October 9, on surveillance footage near the border between Colorado and Utah. The following day, the vehicle is returned with its original plates.
Speaking of the footage of the pair, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said: "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."
They added: “The plate does not belong to the vehicle or Buzzard and is believed to have been used as a false or switched plate to avoid detection."
Melodee's paternal grandmother, Lilly Denes, has told KSBY that she was 'numb and in shock' when she saw the CCTV footage,
“I was totally numb and in shock... This is just so shocking to me in that my granddaughter is dressed in a disguise.
“If she’s listening, we love you. We’re here for you, and we just want you to be happy.
“Call me. There are numbers on the TV that you can call, and I will come pick you up.”
In an unexpected twist on Friday (November 7), Buzzard was arrested for false imprisonment - but not of Melodee.
“This crime is not connected to the ongoing search for Melodee, however, detectives are unable to fully outline the crime as it would impede their ongoing investigation,” the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said.
According to Tyler Brewer, who visited Buzzard's home on November 6, Buzzard had allegedly produced a box cutter and refused to let him leave.
"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."
Buzzard entered a not guilty plea and is due back in court next week.
She was been ordered to wear a GPS monitor and not contact Brewer.