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

[TMich6811]

There was an error in reporting I believe. They didn’t file a report because of her being last enrolled a year ago, they filed a report because she was enrolled at the Lompoc Unified School District two months ago.

At least that’s how I interpreted/understood it. I might be wrong

I agree with your assessment. 2 months is a long time without anything

 

[Knox]

I agree with your assessment. 2 months is a long time without anything

I linked the School District Statement, they clearly explain their process - not verbatim, but it entails phone calls, lettters, emails, home visit/door knock, then LE referral.

The action taken by this district had more follow through/action than most of the similar cases I’ve followed.

Now that we know it hasn’t been a year since she was last seen, I’m still very concerned because she isn’t cooperating. But feel there could be another explanation not related to foul play. Hopefully that’s the case.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I wish they would create a law in all 50 states to address this. It would have to be carefully thought-out, but to prevent these exact situations.

And I believe they have brought up some potential issues....
it does seem as if California does have some better laws about providing out of public school teaching.

 

[TMich6811]

I linked the School District Statement, they clearly explain their process - not verbatim, but it entails phone calls, lettters, emails, home visit/door knock, then LE referral.

The action taken by this district had more follow through/action than most of the similar cases I’ve followed.

Now that we know it hasn’t been a year since she was last seen, I’m still very concerned because she isn’t cooperating. But feel there could be another explanation not related to foul play. Hopefully that’s the case.

Thank you.
I’m going to go back and read it because I missed something

 

[TMich6811]

I linked the School District Statement, they clearly explain their process - not verbatim, but it entails phone calls, lettters, emails, home visit/door knock, then LE referral.

The action taken by this district had more follow through/action than most of the similar cases I’ve followed.

Now that we know it hasn’t been a year since she was last seen, I’m still very concerned because she isn’t cooperating. But feel there could be another explanation not related to foul play. Hopefully that’s the case.

I’m sorry to be a pain.
Is this the link you’re referencing?

Lompoc school district narrows timeline in case of missing 9-year-old, Melodee Buzzard

The Lompoc Unified School District said Friday that 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, missing from Vandenberg Village, was first enrolled in the district just two months ago and was last seen in

lompocrecord.com

I see that it says what should be done under California law for independent studies and I see it references a statement from the school but I can’t find the full statement. I’m going to go back a few pages in case I’m missing it

 

[TMich6811]

Good to see there is a process. And it sounds like the school followed it based on that article (rescinding my previous annoyance with the school) thanks @Knox

If anyone finds the full statement

 

[Knox]

​

KSBY reached out to the Lompoc Unified School District for additional information on how homeschooling works within the district and what steps are taken for students enrolled.

The district on Friday said until now, they were unable to release additional information about Melodee’s recent enrollment and steps taken by Lompoc Unified due to a request by local law enforcement.

The district, however, now states Melodee was enrolled there in August when the child and her mother visited Mission Valley Independent School to begin the registration process.

The independent study program is offered through the school district.

“In our independent study program, if a student fails to pick up assignments, the student is referred back to their school of residence, which then contacts the family to complete enrollment. If attendance does not begin, the school follows mandatory truancy procedures—including phone calls, letters, emails, and home visits. When a student or family cannot be reached after these efforts, the school requests a welfare check from law enforcement,” the district said in a statement, adding. “We are doing everything within our authority to support this investigation, including providing records and coordinating with the Sheriff’s Office.”

Missing Vandenberg Village girl seen as recently as August, officials say

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that a search for Melodee Buzzard, 9, had been launched after a school administrator reported her absence for a prolonged period of time.

www.ksby.com

I saw the full statement in a picture or video still yesterday, it was two pages. But haven't been able to locate it since. There's enough of it captured in the media stories, I don't feel the need to search. School started August 12th, I think the timeline proves they took action appropriately.

 

[katydid23]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1978881603666391091

She looks happy in this picture. This seems like a real, natural smile and her eyes do not look sad or hollow, like we sometimes see in pictures of children in distressed situations. This is heartbreaking.

 

[katydid23]

In your first linked article it appears that MB's mother never filed the paperwork for homeschooling her daughter. I bet there are no home school books or supplies at the house.


Although the sheriff's office said Melodee is homeschooled, a California Department of Education spokesperson said there’s no record of Ashlee Buzzard filing an annual private school affidavit, which is a requirement for homeschooling.

“Per state law, the CDE does not assess or physically inspect private or homeschools,” the spokesperson said. “Filing an annual affidavit is the only thing that is required.”

I wish the CDE would do some type of assessments on homeschool situations. Are the children really being taught anything or not?

In a perfect world, the children would be given similar tests to those given in school districts, to assess reading comprehension, etc, in order to protect the children from lazy/incompetent parents. imo

It could also uncover those situations where kids were just being labeled 'homeschooled' by abusive families. Although it might just send them underground altogether.

 

[PeregrineFalcon]

I wish the CDE would do some type of assessments on homeschool situations. Are the children really being taught anything or not?

In a perfect world, the children would be given similar tests to those given in school districts, to assess reading comprehension, etc, in order to protect the children from lazy/incompetent parents. imo

It could also uncover those situations where kids were just being labeled 'homeschooled' by abusive families. Although it might just send them underground altogether.

The homeschool children I have known (and I have known many over the last couple of decades as well as current ones) are far better educated than public school children & right up there with private school. As the public schools fail our students the other options are better and better. However, I do agree that there are many lazy parents (not usually of homeschooling/private school children) in all situations but by far they tend to be in the public school systems.