In a notable development in the California child murder case, Ashlee Buzzard, accused of the tragic killing of her 9-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard, appeared before the court on Tuesday. Her defense attorney has called for a permanent gag order to be imposed on the case.

During the brief session at Santa Barbara Superior Court, as reported by the Lompoc Record, Judge Stephen Dunkle upheld an existing temporary gag order against the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs. This move aims to manage the flow of information as the case progresses further.

Public defender Erica Sutherland announced plans to submit a Hobbs motion, which pertains to sealed warrants, and requested an additional two weeks to prepare and file this motion.

Deputy District Attorney Jordan Lockey did not oppose the request, allowing the continuance to proceed without objection.

Throughout the hearing, Buzzard remained composed, seated beside Sutherland. According to KSBY News, she exhibited “no visible emotion,” only briefly responding with a “yes” to Judge Dunkle’s inquiries, while avoiding eye contact with the packed courtroom audience.

As CrimeOnline reported, Buzzard pleaded not guilty last month, in connection with Melodee’s death.

A man and woman who had been taking pictures found Melodee’s remains in Wayne County, Utah, near East State Route 24, on December 6. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office then notified the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said it appeared as if Melodee had been deceased for months, and had likely been killed on October 9.

Santa Barbara Sheriff Bill Brown said during a December press conference that the body had been found with “gunshot wounds to the head.”

UPDATE: Missing Melodee Buzzard’s Body Found in Utah, Death Details Revealed

Police arrested Buzzard at her Vandenberg Village home on December 23, after prying open the front door at her home.

Investigators found an expended cartridge case inside Buzzard’s home during an October 30 search. They also found  “a live round of similar ammunition” inside a vehicle she had rented.

She’s faces charges that include:

• First-degree murder
• Discharge of a firearm causing death
• Special circumstance of murder by lying in wait

Judge Dunkle said the defense’s request for a permanent gag order would be revisited during a future court hearing.

“I don’t know what’s going through her mind that she did what she did,” Melodee’s paternal grandmother, Lily Dennes, who attending the hearing, told reporters. “But she could have gave us the baby.”

Buzzard, who remains behind bars without bail at Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria, is scheduled for her next court hearing on January 21.

A preliminary hearing will not take place until after April.

Check back for updates.

Read additional coverage on Melodee Buzzard

[Feature Photo via Santa Barbara County police]