Authorities in Santa Barbara County in California are intensifying their search for Melodee Buzzard, a 9-year-old girl who has not been seen since August 2025, as investigators say her mother has refused to cooperate with the investigation.
The case began earlier this week when a school administrator from the Lompoc Unified School District contacted law enforcement to report Melodee’s prolonged absence. School records show that Melodee was last confirmed seen in August when she and her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, visited Mission Valley Independent Study School to begin enrollment in an independent learning program. The child never returned to pick up her coursework, prompting outreach attempts from school staff. When those efforts failed, officials alerted the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies visited the family’s home in Vandenberg Village, where they found Ashlee Buzzard but not her daughter. Investigators say the mother provided no clear explanation for Melodee’s disappearance and has since been “uncooperative with investigators.” Authorities describe the lack of cooperation as a major obstacle to understanding what happened to the child.
Lt. Chris Gotschall of the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division credited the school district for identifying irregularities and contacting authorities, saying their actions helped “narrow a significant gap in the timeline of when [Melodee] was last known to be seen.”
A photograph of Melodee, taken about two years ago, has been released as part of the ongoing search effort. Officials have not ruled out any possibilities and continue to seek information from the public.
Family members say they have not seen or spoken with Melodee in several years. Her aunt, Vicky Shade, told reporters that Ashlee Buzzard has long struggled with mental health issues and had isolated the child from relatives. Shade said her mother once tried to obtain custody or visitation rights but was unsuccessful. Another relative, Lizabeth Meza, said the family hasn’t been able to see Melodee for over four years.
Relatives have since organized local search efforts, posting flyers and sharing Melodee’s photo on social media in hopes of generating leads. “We hope Melodee is found safe,” said a spokesperson for the state’s department of education.
Public records indicate that Buzzard has faced financial difficulties, including a 2017 bankruptcy filing and multiple debt collection cases in Santa Barbara County. The California Department of Education also found no record of Buzzard filing the required affidavit to homeschool her daughter, despite reports that Melodee had been taught at home for several years.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and urges anyone with information about Melodee’s whereabouts to contact them.
Melodee Buzzard is described as a 9-year-old girl last known to live in the Lompoc area. Authorities say public assistance could be crucial in finding her and uncovering the truth behind her disappearance.
Sources: ABC News, Fox 11 Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times
