Officials Report: Melodee Buzzard's Mother Allegedly Swaps License Plates During Road Trip

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Fresh developments have emerged in the search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who went missing in California. The young girl was last seen on October 7, as confirmed by officials.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office provided an update on Monday, revealing that Melodee embarked on a cross-country journey with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard. Their travels took them from California all the way to Nebraska and Kansas.

In a notable twist, the authorities highlighted that just a day after the journey began, the white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Ashlee underwent a license plate change. Initially, the vehicle carried a California license plate numbered 9MNG101. However, it was later found sporting a New York plate with the registration HCG9677. The precise timing of this swap remains uncertain, as does the possibility of other plates being used during their travels.

The car initially bore California license plate 9MNG101 and was then switched to a New York license plate HCG9677. It is unclear when this occurred, or if other plates were also used during the trip.

Authorities say that when it was returned to the car rental business in Lompoc, California, it had the original California plates back on.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives are sharing additional information, a route map, and photo that includes Ashlee Buzzard in their ongoing search for missing at-risk 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard.

In the release, they reiterated that Ashlee Buzzard has been uncooperative with the investigation and has not confirmed the well-being or whereabouts of her daughter.

Investigators are working with agencies across the country and confirmed Melodee was last seen Oct. 9 in surveillance video on the return route, in an area around the Colorado–Utah border.

They also determined she was with her mother while driving through Green River, Utah, Panguitch, Utah, Northwest Arizona, Primm, Nevada, and Rancho Cucamonga, California, on or around Oct. 9.

Melodee Buzzard is approximately 4 feet 6 inches tall, 60 pounds, with brown curly hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the sheriff’s office via the detectives line: 805-681-4150, the anonymous tip line: 805-681-4171, or online tips via www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/.