Mother of Missing California Girl Faces Separate Felony Charge
The mother of a missing 9-year-old girl has been arrested on a felony charge unrelated to her daughter's disappearance, according to California authorities.
Ashlee Buzzard, the mother of Melodee Buzzard who was reported missing on October 14, was taken into custody at her Lompoc home on Friday, November 7, 2025. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office confirmed the arrest in an official press release.
Unrelated Charges Amid Search Operation
Law enforcement officials emphasised that Buzzard's arrest on a felony charge of false imprisonment is not connected to the ongoing investigation into her daughter's disappearance. Detectives recently discovered that Buzzard had allegedly prevented a victim from leaving a location against their will.
The sheriff's office stated that no further information about this separate incident would be released at this time, citing the sensitivity of both ongoing investigations.
Continued Search for Missing Child
Meanwhile, the search continues for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who was first reported missing when the Lompoc Unified School District notified authorities about her prolonged absence from school. The community remains concerned about the child's welfare as investigations proceed on multiple fronts.
Authorities have not disclosed whether the two cases might eventually connect, maintaining that currently they are being treated as separate matters requiring distinct investigative approaches.
