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The search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard took another shocking turn Friday when her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, was arrested on an unrelated felony charge of false imprisonment.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, deputies served a warrant at Ashlee’s home in Lompoc, California, leading to her arrest in front of stunned neighbors. Surveillance footage shows the 40-year-old mother barefoot, handcuffed, and visibly emotional as officers swarmed the property and carried out multiple evidence bags.

Authorities emphasize the charge is not connected to Melodee’s disappearance—but the timing, just one day after new surveillance footage showed mother and daughter together, has ignited a wave of questions.

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The Timeline: From Disappearance to Arrest

October 7 – Surveillance video places Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard together at a rental car agency in Santa Barbara County.
October 9 – This is now considered the last verified sighting of Melodee, according to Sheriff’s spokesperson Raquel Zick.
October 26 – Melodee is officially reported missing after being absent from school for several days.
October 29–November 3 – Search teams, drones, and K9 units scour rural Santa Barbara County. Detectives interview neighbors and family members.
November 4 – Newly released footage surfaces showing Melodee and her mother together, sparking renewed attention.
November 8 – Deputies execute a warrant at Ashlee’s home in Lompoc. She is arrested on a felony charge of false imprisonment and booked into the Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria on $100,000 bail.
November 9 – The FBI confirms that Ashlee allegedly prevented a victim from leaving a location against their will, though investigators refuse to disclose further details to avoid compromising the ongoing case.

Fact, Rumor, and Speculation

FACTS:

• Ashlee Buzzard has been charged with felony false imprisonment.
• Authorities maintain the charge is not directly tied to Melodee’s disappearance.
• The last confirmed sighting of Melodee was October 9.
• Ashlee has refused to cooperate with investigators.

RUMORS:

• Claims circulating online that Melodee was seen in another state are false. The Sheriff’s Office says no verified sightings have occurred outside California.
• Social media posts suggesting that Ashlee was involved in a child trafficking ring are unsubstantiated.

SPECULATION:

• Some sources close to the case believe the false imprisonment charge may involve another adult or family member who attempted to leave the property during a confrontation.
• Others suspect detectives may have used the warrant to seize potential evidence in Melodee’s disappearance, despite publicly denying a link.

Until more information emerges, official statements remain the only confirmed record of events.

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The Evidence So Far

Investigators have retrieved surveillance footage, digital devices, and handwritten notes from Ashlee’s home. The FBI’s field team is conducting forensic analysis of those items, while deputies review Melodee’s digital footprint, including online messages and phone activity leading up to her disappearance.
Forensic analysts are also reviewing the rental car agency footage, hoping to trace the vehicle’s movements from October 7 to 9.

The Human Impact

The emotional toll on the community has been devastating. Neighbors describe Melodee as a “sweet, curious girl” often seen playing with neighborhood pets. Since her disappearance, candlelight vigils have filled the quiet streets of Lompoc, and social media has been flooded with prayers and pleas for her safe return.
“I just hope this arrest brings us closer to finding Melodee,” said one volunteer searcher. “It’s hard to see her mother in cuffs, but maybe now we’ll get answers.”

Meanwhile, Ashlee’s arrest has deepened public frustration—and fear. For many, the sight of her being taken away barefoot and sobbing has become a haunting image of a mystery that refuses to fade.

What Happens Next

Ashlee Buzzard remains in custody pending a court appearance. Authorities continue to urge anyone with credible information about Melodee’s whereabouts to contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office tip line.
Detectives stress that while leads are active, Melodee is still missing, and time is critical.

Your Turn

Do you believe the mother’s arrest could lead investigators closer to finding Melodee—or is it just another tragic twist in a deepening mystery?
Share your thoughts and theories in the comments below. Your perspective matters to our Real Crime Network community.

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