A California mother, Ashlee Buzzard, faced the Santa Barbara County Superior Court on Thursday in connection with the tragic death of her 9-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard. The brief hearing saw the continuation of legal proceedings in this somber case.

In a significant development, Judge Stephen Dunkle issued a permanent gag order, as reported by Cal Coast News. This order restricts law enforcement and the prosecution from publicly disclosing further details about the case. However, Dunkle did allow the defense’s request to unseal both past and forthcoming affidavits and search warrants, indicating a partial openness to transparency.

The prosecution chose to remain neutral, expressing no stance regarding these requests.

According to CrimeOnline, the heartbreaking discovery of Melodee’s remains occurred on December 6 in Wayne County, Utah. A man and woman, who were taking photographs near East State Route 24, stumbled upon her body. This led the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office to alert their counterparts in Santa Barbara County.

Authorities have indicated that Melodee had likely been deceased for several months, with October 9 posited as the probable date of her death.

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

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.

Police arrested the defendant at her Vandenberg Village home on December 23.

She’s faces charges that include:

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

Ashlee Buzzard, who remains behind bars without bail, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Check back for updates.

Read additional coverage on Melodee Buzzard

[Feature Photo via Santa Barbara County police]