When Melodee Buzzard is first reported missing, school officials fear the little girl hasn’t been seen in more than a year.

The school district discovers Melodee was seen much more recently, enrolling in another year of homeschooling.
Santa Barbara County sheriffs then find that her mom, Ashlee Buzzard, left Lompoc with Melodee on October 7; they were spotted together at a car rental.

Security footage caught Melodee for the last time on October 9. Buzzard returns home the next day, alone. Melodee has now been missing for 35 days.

The only photo authorities have of Melodee is more than two years out of date, as the little girl is “homeschooled” in Vandenberg Village, just north of Lompoc, California.

Ashley Buzzard was arrested on Nov 7 for false imprisonment, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. Ashley's arrest was for false imprisonment. This is not a child-related charge. So, this arrest is not related to Melodee. And it's not related to the ongoing missing person case directly. But, it is a case that came up amid this missing person case.

Four days after her arrest, Ashlee Buzzard entered a not guilty plea to false imprisonment. Prosecutors argue that Buzzard should remain incarcerated due to her flight risk and potential for violence.

However, her attorneys counter that she does not own a vehicle and did not specifically threaten Brewer with a box cutter. The judge agrees to grant Buzzard bail under close supervision and orders Buzzard to stay away from Brewer.
The 40-year-old is once again walking free.

Anyone with information asked to contact 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.

Joining Nancy Grace today:

• Greg Morse - Criminal Defense Attorney of Morse Legal, Author of “The Untested” (found on Amazon)
• Lauren Johnson-Norris - Defense Attorney (specializing in juvenile, and CPS cases in Orange County, California), and Founder of Johnson Criminal Law Group
• Dr. Bethany Marshall -  Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker," and featured in hit show "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive
• Irv Brandt - Former Senior Inspector, US Marshals Service International Investigations Branch, Chief Inspector, DOJ Office of International Affairs; Country Attaché, US Embassy Kingston, Jamaica. Author of, “SOLO SHOT: CURSE OF THE BLUE STONE," "Forever Solo: Knight of the Dragon,” “Flying Solo: Top of the World," “Solo Journey: Buddha Knights a Jack Solo Mystery Novel," and “Going Solo: The Gospel of Luke” X: @JackSoloAuthor”
• Rhonda Dequier - Founder, Missing In America Network (an advocacy program for the families of missing persons) 
• Anne Emerson - Senior Investigative Reporter for Criminally Obsessed (which can be found on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook: Criminally Obsessed), Host of the Award-Winning Podcast: "Unsolved South Carolina: The Murdaugh Murders, Money and Mystery."
• Sydney Sumner- Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'

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