Ashley Buzzard returned to California after a brief multi-state trip, but without her 9-year-old daughter, Melody, prompting a search that revealed odd behaviors and disguises. The investigation into Melody’s disappearance, reported by school officials on October 14, took a dramatic turn when Buzzard, 40, was arrested for false imprisonment on October 13, although this charge is not directly related to Melody’s case.
Melody last attended school in August and was reported absent after her mother enrolled her in a distance learning program. Authorities found Buzzard uncooperative and without a credible account of Melody’s whereabouts when they conducted a welfare check.
Between October 7 and 10, Buzzard reportedly drove more than 1,000 miles through six states, changing license plates and disguising their appearances with wigs to avoid detection. Surveillance footage showed the pair in wigs as they traveled toward Nebraska, where Melody was last seen on October 9 near the Colorado-Utah border.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is actively seeking information from the public to locate Melody, emphasizing their commitment to her safety while also investigating the circumstances surrounding Buzzard’s arrest, which has raised further questions about Melody’s welfare. Buzzard is currently held on a $100,000 bail with no attorney identified.
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