Authorities have provided updated information in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who was last sighted with her mother on October 7 in California.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office disclosed Monday that Melodee and her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, embarked on a journey across the country, reaching as far as Nebraska and Kansas.

Significantly, the sheriff’s office noted that on October 8, the day after their departure, the white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu Ashlee was driving, a rental vehicle, had undergone a license plate change.

Initially, the car displayed the California plate 9MNG101, which was later replaced with a New York plate, HCG9677. The timing of this change remains uncertain, as does the possibility of additional license plate alterations during their travels.

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

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/.