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Dismissed Charges Against Ashlee Buzzard Amid Ongoing Search for Missing Daughter Melodee
A California mother, Ashlee Buzzard, had her felony charge dismissed on Thursday as law enforcement continues to search for her missing nine-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard. This decision comes amid serious concerns regarding the girl’s welfare.
Background of the Case
Ashlee Buzzard faced a felony charge related to false imprisonment stemming from an incident on November 6. Testimony in a Santa Barbara County courtroom revealed that Buzzard allegedly locked a man inside her Lompoc home during a heated argument. The man, Tyler Stuart Brewer, described the situation as volatile and distressing.
According to the felony complaint filed on November 10, Buzzard was accused of unlawfully denying Brewer his personal liberty through means of violence, menace, fraud, and deceit. The prosecution noted that the act demonstrated planning, sophistication, and professionalism.
Testimony and Court Proceedings
During the preliminary hearing, Brewer testified that he met Buzzard years ago through mutual acquaintances and reconnected earlier this fall upon learning her daughter was missing. He recounted visiting Buzzard’s home multiple times in early November and engaging in extensive text exchanges with her.
On the day of the alleged incident, Brewer stated that after entering the home, Buzzard locked several deadbolts. He described her demeanor as agitated and noticed a box cutter within reach. When Brewer attempted to leave, he claimed that Buzzard obstructed the doorway and relocked the front door using an additional locking device.
The prosecution entered photographic evidence of the locks into the court record. They also presented a recorded conversation between Buzzard and Brewer, which showcased Buzzard accusing Brewer of deception and seeking media attention. During the recording, Brewer could be heard expressing his discomfort and requesting to leave, further establishing the tense atmosphere.
Dismissal of Charges
After Brewer’s testimony, Detective Thomas Brownlee of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office testified in court. Ultimately, the judge dismissed the felony charge, citing insufficient evidence to continue prosecution. Consequently, Ashlee Buzzard’s pretrial supervision also ended, and she is no longer required to wear an ankle monitor.
Concerns for Melodee Buzzard
Outside the courtroom, Melodee’s grandmother, Lisa (Lilly) Denes, made herself available to the media to discuss her granddaughter’s ongoing disappearance. Denes has been vocal about her fears and observations since Melodee went missing, noting a pattern of behavior in Buzzard that she found alarming.
Denes stated that Buzzard had deliberately isolated Melodee from family and friends, expressing her concerns about Buzzard’s intentions. She mentioned that she had attempted to obtain welfare checks, fearing that Buzzard was evading those who could provide protection for her granddaughter.
The Investigation into Melodee’s Disappearance
Authorities launched an investigation into Melodee’s disappearance on October 14 after her school reported her prolonged absence. When questioned, Ashlee Buzzard reportedly failed to provide a credible explanation regarding her daughter’s whereabouts. She has been described as uncooperative throughout the investigation.
The timeline indicates that Melodee disappeared during a road trip with her mother in early October. Surveillance footage captured Buzzard and Melodee at a rental-car counter on October 7, both wearing wigs, suggesting an intent to conceal their identities while traveling. Authorities believe the pair may have altered their vehicle’s license plate during their journey across multiple states.
Current Status of the Search
Melodee was last spotted near the Utah–Colorado border, while her mother returned to California without her. The FBI has now joined Santa Barbara County investigators in the ongoing search to retrace their movements and track any sightings of the missing child.
Private investigator Bill Garcia, collaborating with Criminally Obsessed, recently reported that new leads indicate Melodee could be back in Ventura County, California, near her home. However, no confirmed sightings of her have emerged, raising significant concerns about her safety.
Garcia mentioned that the route taken by Buzzard passes near a key landmark—the burial site of Melodee’s father in Santa Maria Cemetery—which could provide critical information to the ongoing investigation.
Importance of the Ongoing Investigation
Authorities emphasized that the recently dismissed criminal case against Ashlee Buzzard is not connected to the investigation into Melodee’s disappearance. Investigators are urging anyone with information about Melodee’s whereabouts to reach out to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office or the FBI tip line.
As the community calls for answers, the search for Melodee continues. Both law enforcement and family members are hopeful that renewed public interest may assist in locating the missing girl.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and Buzzard’s attorney for further comment about the developments in these cases.
Reporting by Fox News’ Jamie Vera and Adam Sabes contributed to this article.
