Earlier this month, Ashlee Buzzard embarked on a road trip with her 9-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard, but returned home to California without her, sparking concern and a search effort.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office reported that Ashlee rented a car on October 7 and set out with Melodee, possibly aiming for Nebraska. However, Ashlee returned alone to their residence in Vandenberg Village, located in northern Santa Barbara County, leaving questions about Melodee’s whereabouts.

The vehicle used for the trip, a white Chevrolet Malibu with the license plate 9MNG101, has since been returned to the rental agency.

Concern grew on October 14 when staff from the Lompoc Unified School District, where Melodee is enrolled in a homeschooling program, reported her missing. She had not picked up her assignments for the independent study program, raising alarms.

The last confirmed sighting of Melodee by school district employees was in August, when her mother completed her registration for the program, according to the sheriff’s office.

Police subsequently served a search warrant at Ashlee Buzzard’s home but did not find Melodee. During follow-up visits, Buzzard reportedly became uncooperative with the search and has not offered any valid explanations as to where her daughter is.

During additional visits, officials knocked on Ashlee Buzzard’s door, but she stopped answering.

A neighbor shared security footage with KCBY News, showing that Ashlee Buzzard was spotted at the home, taking out her trash.

As the search continues, law enforcement is asking the public for tips.

“We want the public to think back to the 7th to the 14th. Did you see a mom and a daughter in this vehicle?” Raquel Zick, a spokesperson with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, said, referring to the rental vehicle.

Meanwhile, DailyMail reports that Ashlee Buzzard was spotted leaving with someone in a black Lincoln Sedan Wednesday morning, headed first to a Budget car rental branch. They later drove to the Avis car rental store at an airport.

She was reportedly denied a rental at both locations and returned home.

A neighbor, according to DailyMail, claimed Buzzard was handed a notice Monday to produce her daughter or face arrest.

The most recent photos of Melodee were taken around two years ago, and officials said her appearance may have changed.

“We are hopeful that Melodee might be with someone – perhaps an extended family member or friend – who may not be aware of the circumstances of her disappearance,” Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said in a news release Wednesday.

READ MORE: Melodee Buzzard: Missing California Girl’s Maternal Grandmother Speaks Out Amid Search

Anyone with information regarding Buzzard’s whereabouts is asked to call Santa Barbara County investigators at 805-681-4150. Anonymous calls can be made to the tip line at 805-681-4171. Contact the FBI at 800-225-5324.

[Feature Photo: Santa Barbara County police]