Authorities in California are urgently searching for a young girl, aged nine, who vanished earlier this month under troubling circumstances. Melodee Buzzard was last seen alongside her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, on October 7. The pair reportedly embarked on a journey from their Lompoc home, located approximately 60 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, to Nebraska. However, Ashlee returned without her daughter, sparking a frantic search by law enforcement.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is particularly interested in uncovering the details surrounding the week-long trip that took place after they left California. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Ashlee Buzzard has remained tight-lipped, offering no information on Melodee’s whereabouts or condition. As of now, she has not been charged, but her silence is raising concerns.

The case came to the attention of the authorities on October 14, when the Lompoc Unified School District reported Melodee’s prolonged absence. In response, deputies visited the Buzzard residence on Mars Avenue but found no trace of Melodee and received no plausible explanation for her disappearance.

The puzzling nature of the case has drawn comments from Sheriff Bill Brown, who expressed both concern and hope. “The Sheriff’s Office shares the community’s concern for Melodee’s safety and is committed to bringing her home,” Brown stated. He added that there is a possibility Melodee might be with someone, such as an extended family member or friend, who is unaware of the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

“The Sheriff’s Office shares the community’s concern for Melodee’s safety and is committed to bringing her home,” he said. “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.”

Local, state and federal authorities are aiding in the search. Cops are discouraging anyone from conducting a search themselves, but anyone with concrete tips can call the anonymous tip line at (805) 681-4171.

The photo deputies released is from about two years ago and officials note that her appearance may have changed since then. Currently, she’s about 4’6″ and weighs 60 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair.

Local NBC affiliate KSBY spoke to Ashlee Buzzard’s mother Lori Miranda who said her daughter has been suffering from mental health problems after Melodee’s father died in a car crash when the girl was a baby. She said CPS took custody of Melodee after finding the girl living in a home in squalor.

“I couldn’t believe it was my daughter,” Miranda told the TV station. “I mean, the house was in disarray. There were raw eggs in pans, there was rotten food in the fridge I think she was trying to give my granddaughter.”

She hasn’t seen her granddaughter in nearly two years. In the interview, Miranda spoke to Melodee directly in hopes she can reach her.

“Please tell somebody, ‘I’m Melodee Buzzard,’” Miranda said. “‘My grandma, Luna, is looking for me. Please call the police.’”