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Ashlee Buzzard, the mother of the missing girl from California, Melodee Buzzard, now faces charges of false imprisonment.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced that the arrest, made on Friday, is not linked to Melodee’s disappearance.
“Investigators uncovered a recent incident where Ashlee unlawfully detained a victim, restricting them from leaving a location, which qualifies as false imprisonment,” stated the SBCSO in a Friday news release.
“While this offense does not relate to the ongoing efforts to locate Melodee, detectives are withholding specific details to avoid hindering their current investigation,” the statement continued.
Authorities have placed Buzzard in the Northern Branch Jail, with her bail anticipated to be set at $100,000.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the sheriff’s office said Buzzard rented a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, with California license plate 9MNG101, and embarked on the trip on October 7, with possible stops in Kansas and Nebraska.
Security footage placed both Ashlee Buzzard and Melodee at the car rental business while wearing wigs that same day.
Investigators said they believe that the wig was used to alter Melodee’s appearance. They also noted that Ashlee Buzzard is known to wear wigs.
On Thursday, the sheriff’s office said that that Ashlee Buzzard, at some point, put on a darker wig during the cross-county trip.
“This change in appearance is believed to have been intentional to avoid recognition during travel,” SBCSO said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Melodee was last seen on October 9, between the Colorado–Utah border, on a return route.
“Somewhere along that route is where we know Ashlee was no longer with Melodee,” Raquel Zick, Public Information Officer with SBCSO, said.
Police believe Ashlee Buzzard drove through the following locations before returning home to Lompoc without Melodee:
- Green River, Utah
- Panguitch, Utah
- Northwest Arizona
- Primm, Nevada
- Rancho Cucamonga, California
Authorities are now asking businesses and residents and in the aforementioned areas to look at surveillance footage from October 9 and 10.
Anyone with information regarding Melodee’s whereabouts is urged 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.
Anonymous tipsters can also share information online to the sheriff’s office.
Read additional coverage on Melodee Buzzard
[Feature Photo: Santa Barbara County police]
