CA CA - Melodee Buzzard, 9, Vandenberg Village, 14 Oct 2025

[steff13]

My child's father died so we receive Social Security survivor benefits, and will continue to until my child is 18. It's not a lot each month. It might cover her rent, depending how much it was, but it's not enough to live on. I suppose it depends on what other public assistance Melodee's mother might have been receiving but it would be tight. (Also in our case, no DNA sample was required. They just needed his death certificate and my child's birth certificate which named him as the father.)

The amount depends on how much the father paid into Social Security while he was alive. He was 40 when he died so he probably had been working for quite some time. Kids get 75% of their parents' benefit.

That combined with cash assistance that's available to families in California as well as SNAP might well be enough for her to live on. Especially if she receives housing assistance.

 

[CptCari]

I am a big supporter of homeschooling but these cases are why I believe there should be mandatory state-sanctioned check-ins and/or testing. I hate to see a child slip through the cracks- whatever the reason. The mother should be able to produce the child and/or their whereabouts.

 

[Knox]

Just thinking out loud... Mom would presumably need to work to support the two of them since there's no one else in the household contributing to the expenses, at least so far as we have heard. How could mom be working and also homeschooling a child at the same time? Perhaps she worked nights or worked from home, but was she leaving Melodee alone during the hours she was working? We don't have any information about mom's employment but I would assume she'd have to have a pretty well paying job to afford to live in California (not exactly the cheapest place to live in the country...) and pay for childcare for a school age child who isn't in school. A daycare center wouldn't offer that. She'd need a private sitter. It doesn't sound like there is a grandparent or any extended family in the picture who could provide that. Just more unanswered questions. Where are you Melodee?

Melodee’s dad died. She would be eligible for SS benefits until she turned 18, I think the minimum is $1100/mo. Also mom could be receiving state benefits including housing and childcare. So she wouldn’t necessarily heve to work, IMO.

 

[mickey2942]

I am a big supporter of homeschooling but these cases are why I believe there should be mandatory state-sanctioned check-ins and/or testing. I hate to see a child slip through the cracks- whatever the reason. The mother should be able to produce the child and/or their whereabouts.

Exactly. Let's say someone asked me where my kids were, it would take 2 seconds for me to answer. If they were out, or with their Dad, here is his phone number.

99.99% of people asked that question could answer it in a heartbeat.

LEO got a search warrant already. I bet that there will be charges soon.

 

[truthfinder2019]

As for the girl’s relatives, they say they have been cut off from Melodee for years. Melodee's aunt on her father's side says they found out about Melodee’s disappearance through Facebook.

“We haven't seen her in over four years due to the mother not allowing the family to see her,” said Lizabeth Meza, Melodee’s aunt. She describes her niece as being sweet and kind.

Neighbors, family concerned following Vandenberg Village 9-year-old’s disappearance

Authorities say they’ve spoken with Melodee Buzzard’s mother, Ashlee, but that she hasn't provided information as to where her daughter may be.

www.ksby.com

 

[Knox]

As for the girl’s relatives, they say they have been cut off from Melodee for years. Melodee's aunt on her father's side says they found out about Melodee’s disappearance through Facebook.

“We haven't seen her in over four years due to the mother not allowing the family to see her,” said Lizabeth Meza, Melodee’s aunt. She describes her niece as being sweet and kind.

Neighbors, family concerned following Vandenberg Village 9-year-old’s disappearance

Authorities say they’ve spoken with Melodee Buzzard’s mother, Ashlee, but that she hasn't provided information as to where her daughter may be.

www.ksby.com

I wonder why she cut off her child’s contact with the father‘s family? How heartbreaking for them.