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The mother of a missing 9-year-old California girl described as “at-risk” appeared briefly in court Wednesday on a felony false-imprisonment charge unrelated to her daughter’s disappearance.
Authorities say Ashlee Buzzard, 35, faces the charge after an alleged incident at her Lompoc home on Nov. 6, weeks after her daughter, Melodee Buzzard, was last seen.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the case is separate from the ongoing investigation into the child’s whereabouts.
Officials began investigating Melodee’s disappearance on Oct. 14, after a school official reported her prolonged absence. When questioned, deputies said Ashlee Buzzard failed to provide a verifiable explanation for her daughter’s location and has “remained uncooperative and has not confirmed Melodee’s welfare.”
MELODEE BUZZARD DISAPPEARANCE: NEW SURVEILLANCE PHOTOS SHOW MISSING CALIFORNIA GIRL, 9, IN POSSIBLE DISGUISE
Tyler Brewer, a court officer who has known Buzzard for years, told NewsNation that Ashlee revealed to him where Melodee was and who she was with, but he remains unsure whether the information was accurate, citing her unstable behavior at the time. He said he believes the child may 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’S MOM PLOTTED TO ‘CUT OFF’ MISSING 9-YEAR-OLD FROM ‘ENTIRE WORLD,’ GRANDMA SAYS
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.
MELODEE BUZZARD’S MOTHER ARRESTED ON CHARGE UNRELATED TO HER DAUGHTER’S DISAPPEARANCE
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.
MELODEE BUZZARD’S MOM RELEASED AFTER ALLEGEDLY IMPRISONING OFFICER, REVEALING MISSING DAUGHTER’S LOCATION
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.
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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.
Fox News Digital’s Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to [email protected].
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