Melodee Buzzard's Mother Arrested on Unrelated Charges After Authorities Release Video of Pair By Samira Asma-Sadeque

Authorities in California have arrested Ashlee Buzzard, whose daughter Melodee Buzzard disappeared last month, on charges unrelated to the 9-year-old’s disappearanc

Melodee, 9, was reported missing on Oct. 14 by a school official who flagged her “prolonged absence,” the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said at the time.

Ashlee has refused to cooperate with investigators as they continue an intense search operation for the child.

Ashlee has not been named a person of interest in Melodee’s disappearance, but was arrested on Friday, Nov. 7 on false imprisonment in a different case, the sheriff’s office announced.

Authorities remained tight-lipped about the new case but said it pertains to allegations that she once prevented a victim to leave a location.

The arrest comes a day after the sheriff’s office released security camera footage showing Melodee with Ashlee on Oct. 7, around the time the 9-year-old disappeared.

On Oct. 24, investigators released CCTV photos stills at a car rental business in California where Melodee was seen in a wig, which officers allege was likely Ashlee’s bid to disguise the little girl.

In a statement on Thursday, Nov. 6, the sheriff’s office said they have also determined Ashlee herself was in a wig at the car rental in the video captured on Oct. 7.

They allege Ashlee likely “swapped” wigs several times during the trip that ensued; she changed to a darker wig that appeared similar to the one Melodee was seen wearing.

“This change in appearance is believed to have been intentional to avoid recognition during travel,” the sheriff’s office said.

In the brief, 9-second-long video shared by the sheriff’s office, the woman identified as Ashlee is seen in blond wavy hair talking to a little girl in a grey hoodie, whose back is to the camera.

The girl was previously identified by police to be Melodee in an “altered” appearance.

At one point, as Ashlee turns to the counter, holding what appears to be a credit or debit card, Melodee turns as well, her face becoming visible in the camera. She folds her arms together, looking at the counter, as Ashlee briefly turns away.

Two days after this video, Melodee was last seen in video surveillance on Oct. 9 in the region between the Colorado–Utah border, the sheriff’s office said earlier this week.

The sheriff’s office also alleged the rental car the two were in had its license plate switched around Oct. 8, in what they believe was another attempt by Ashlee at evading detection.

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Much remains unknown about the circumstances surrounding Melodee’s disappearance.

Her last verified contact was a year ago, the sheriff’s office previously said, and her most recent photo is from two years ago.

Ashlee’s mother Lori Miranda told KSBY that she had not been in touch with her granddaughter for about two years.

Miranda, who says she was “totally numb and in shock” when she saw Melodee in a wig, has been actively pleading for information about the missing child, per WHSV.

“You need to tell them where the baby is, you need to tell them who’s setting all these things up for you. I know you’re not doing it,” she said, addressing Ashlee, per the outlet.

Melodee’s father, Rubiell Meza, died in a car accident in 2016 when she was a baby, his family previously said.

Melodee’s paternal aunt told local outlet KEYT that Ashlee had cut them off from Melodee’s life years ago.

“And all of us have tried. But we never stopped thinking about her or loving her or praying for her,” Bridgett Truitt told the outlet.

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Anyone who has seen the child or may have information about her whereabouts are urged to contact investigators through any of the following options:

• Call the Detectives Line at (805) 681-4150
• Leave anonymous tips at (805) 681-4171
• Leave online tips at www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/