Authorities announced Monday, October 20, 2025, that 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard may have been taken out of Southern California and could be as far away as Nebraska. This development narrows a previously wide window in the search, but leaves basic questions about the child’s safety unanswered.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, Melodee was with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, as recently as Oct. 7, and that the pair may have been traveling in a rented white Chevrolet Malibu (license plate 9MNG101) that investigators believe left the Santa Barbara area but is no longer in the mother’s possession.
Melodee’s “prolonged absence”
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office @sbsheriff in California are searching for 9 year old Melodee Buzzard, last seen in California and possibly now in Nebraska.
— Omaha Police Officers Association (@omahaPOA) October 21, 2025
Melodee was last known to be with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, who is not cooperating with law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/QDuYSHGcQq
The Lompoc Unified School District reported the child’s “prolonged absence” after Melodee and her mother failed to pick up assignments for an independent study program, prompting deputies to open the missing-person investigation on October 14.
Authorities shortened the timeline of Melodee’s last sighting from a year ago when investigators confirmed she and her mother visited the school in August 2025 to register for the independent study program.
Family members tell reporters that Ashlee effectively cut them off from contact with the girl years ago. The most recent photograph available to authorities is from about two years ago.
When deputies served a search warrant at the Santa Barbara County Buzzard home, they contacted Ashlee, but Melodee wasn’t there. Investigators say Ashlee has so far refused to cooperate or provide a clear explanation for the child’s whereabouts.
Investigators have also asked the public for help with tips. They encourage anyone who might have seen Melodee or had contact with Ashlee since October 7 to call the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at (805) 681-4150, the anonymous tip line at (805) 681-4171, or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
