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

[Gigglingtoes]

Did she go back to the same car rental place? If so, they probably knew what was going on. My guess is that LE had already looked at the rental she had previously and requested info. Don’t need a warrant if there is co-operation.

Also, don’t you need a credit card to rent a vehicle? With her financial situation, maybe she doesn’t have one. Could someone else have rented the car for her previously using their card? This time she was on her own?

She went to one in Santa Maria which is further away.

 

[Gigglingtoes]

one of the article's I read last week said she had been given a deadline by LE or face possible charges I will try to find it, don't recall if the due date was provided and don't recall the source so not sure of the validity of that claim

The person who said that was a neighbor so who knows if they actually knew what the paperwork was. Not like Ashlee is talking to anyone.

 

[bootsinmass]

I keep wondering how they know Ashlee wears wigs? That’s an interesting detail.

RSBM

looks like they found security camera footage

The mystery deepens...

Mom of Melodee Buzzard, 9-Year-Old Last Seen in Disguise Wig, Didn't Let Family See Her for Years: Relatives

Melodee Buzzard was reported missing by a school official on Oct. 14.

people.com

 

[Gigglingtoes]

These things stand out for me:

Denes (Melodee’s paternal grandmother) said the family once planned to adopt Melodee and that she had already begun paperwork when Ashlee withdrew the girl from her Santa Maria school and reportedly left the state.

Rolando Meza died in 2016 in a motorcycle crash in Santa Maria, when Melodee was just six months old. In the years after his death, the Mezas fostered Melodee for several months, hoping to adopt her and keep her close to her father’s side of the family.
Marvin Meza, who said little during the vigil, admitted feeling “bitter” about how the courts handled Melodee’s case years earlier.
“Had the court left Melodee with us, she wouldn’t be missing,” he said quietly. “Our kids are doing good — as parents, we can say they are doing well,” he said.

She and others noted that Ashlee legally changed Melodee’s surname from Meza in 2021, after the court placed the child back in her mother’s custody.



What state did Ashlee go to with Melodee when she left?

Candlelight vigil held for missing Melodee Buzzard as family, neighbors plead for answers

About 25 people gathered with candles on Mars Avenue Friday evening, outside the small home where detectives first knocked in search of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard nearly two weeks ago.

santamariatimes.com

 

[Ontario Mom]

These things stand out for me:

Denes (Melodee’s paternal grandmother) said the family once planned to adopt Melodee and that she had already begun paperwork when Ashlee withdrew the girl from her Santa Maria school and reportedly left the state.

Rolando Meza died in 2016 in a motorcycle crash in Santa Maria, when Melodee was just six months old. In the years after his death, the Mezas fostered Melodee for several months, hoping to adopt her and keep her close to her father’s side of the family.
Marvin Meza, who said little during the vigil, admitted feeling “bitter” about how the courts handled Melodee’s case years earlier.
“Had the court left Melodee with us, she wouldn’t be missing,” he said quietly. “Our kids are doing good — as parents, we can say they are doing well,” he said.

She and others noted that Ashlee legally changed Melodee’s surname from Meza in 2021, after the court placed the child back in her mother’s custody.



What state did Ashlee go to with Melodee when she left?

Candlelight vigil held for missing Melodee Buzzard as family, neighbors plead for answers

About 25 people gathered with candles on Mars Avenue Friday evening, outside the small home where detectives first knocked in search of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard nearly two weeks ago.

santamariatimes.com

I'm fairly convinced she has some family members in the state of Nebraska where she went to this time, so it's quite possible she went to the same place last time.

jmo

 

[TMich6811]

So according to the link below, independent study students are not subject to truancy laws

“Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade independent study are not subject to CA’s traditional truancy laws.
Instead, EC sections 51747(b) and 51749.5(a)(8)(B) call for an evaluation to determine whether or not the student should remain in independent study. LEAs are also required to have in their independent study board policies a plan for tiered reengagement strategies to include outreach and clear standards for requiring a student-parent-educator conference. EC sections 51747(d) and 51749.5(a)(8)(C)”

Independent Study Frequently Asked Questions - Independent Study (CA Dept of Education)

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers pertaining to independent study.

www.cde.ca.gov

As @Knox had previously reported, the school
Followed escalation procedures as per their statement and LE statements - which included letters, meeting requests etc.

This is my confusion a bit about what happened

Gathering what I can, it looks like at this point there should have been a referral for classroom attendance and then a hearing with the SARB (review board) and truancy would then apply. I’m not sure we heard much about this avenue but rather LE getting involved.

This makes me wonder if there was a reason it went that direction that we don’t yet know.

I could be missing a piece of the puzzle that’s been announce already too so feel free to fill in a gap if I left one

ETA I wonder if her school record was already flagged due to previous
(Reportedly) CPS involvement

 

[OddOneOut]

I wonder if Ashlee sent Melodee into an underground network to hide her. If she feared losing custody, she might have. JMO, I seem to remember a case several years ago where a mother sent her daughters underground to prevent her ex-husband from getting custody. The girls were later found in good health at a horse farm. Those hiding the girls didn't report having the girls because they were intentionally involved.

 

[OddOneOut]

I wonder if Ashlee sent Melodee into an underground network to hide her. If she feared losing custody, she might have. JMO, I seem to remember a case several years ago where a mother sent her daughters underground to prevent her ex-husband from getting custody. The girls were later found in good health at a horse farm. Those hiding the girls didn't report having the girls because they were intentionally involved.

This is what I had in mind: Teen sisters missing since 2013 found on Minnesota farm

 

[swanniee11]

IDK if this was done or not but, cut off the $. She can't claim $ on a child she isn't raising. This really needs to be nipped in the bud on the mom. Show Melodee or you lose your housing/income etc. I'm so frustrated. IMO

 

[katydid23]

I wonder if Ashlee sent Melodee into an underground network to hide her. If she feared losing custody, she might have. JMO, I seem to remember a case several years ago where a mother sent her daughters underground to prevent her ex-husband from getting custody. The girls were later found in good health at a horse farm. Those hiding the girls didn't report having the girls because they were intentionally involved.

I truly hope so.

 

[Knox]

I'm fairly convinced she has some family members in the state of Nebraska where she went to this time, so it's quite possible she went to the same place last time.

jmo

Any idea where?

 

[Knox]

RSBM

looks like they found security camera footage

The mystery deepens...

Mom of Melodee Buzzard, 9-Year-Old Last Seen in Disguise Wig, Didn't Let Family See Her for Years: Relatives

Melodee Buzzard was reported missing by a school official on Oct. 14.

people.com

Oddy, there was no security footage of Ashlee at the car rental agency shared by SBCSO. Only that of Melodee. I commented previously, I find that odd. Since she was the adult driving the car, and making stops along the way. One would think a picture of her also, would help to solict the tips they are asking the public to submit.

Guess they have their reasons. But the imaginative side of my brain took a left turn and is creating some wild possibilities.

 

[Knox]

So according to the link below, independent study students are not subject to truancy laws

“Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade independent study are not subject to CA’s traditional truancy laws.
Instead, EC sections 51747(b) and 51749.5(a)(8)(B) call for an evaluation to determine whether or not the student should remain in independent study. LEAs are also required to have in their independent study board policies a plan for tiered reengagement strategies to include outreach and clear standards for requiring a student-parent-educator conference. EC sections 51747(d) and 51749.5(a)(8)(C)”

Independent Study Frequently Asked Questions - Independent Study (CA Dept of Education)

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers pertaining to independent study.

www.cde.ca.gov

As @Knox had previously reported, the school
Followed escalation procedures as per their statement and LE statements - which included letters, meeting requests etc.

This is my confusion a bit about what happened

Gathering what I can, it looks like at this point there should have been a referral for classroom attendance and then a hearing with the SARB (review board) and truancy would then apply. I’m not sure we heard much about this avenue but rather LE getting involved.

This makes me wonder if there was a reason it went that direction that we don’t yet know.

I could be missing a piece of the puzzle that’s been announce already too so feel free to fill in a gap if I left one

ETA I wonder if her school record was already flagged due to previous
(Reportedly) CPS involvement

In a written statement released Friday afternoon, district officials said Melodee and her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, visited Mission Valley Independent School in August to begin the registration process for independent study, a program in which students complete coursework off campus under teacher supervision.

“We appreciate our staff’s care, vigilance, and procedural follow-through, which accelerated the appropriate next steps,” the district said, crediting employees for acting promptly once concerns arose.

Lompoc Unified noted that some early reports suggesting Melodee had been missing since 2024 were inaccurate, and that staff had followed required procedures after noticing the child had not attended or collected assignments.

Under California education law, independent-study programs require ongoing contact between families and credentialed teachers. If a student does not begin attendance or fails to engage, schools must initiate truancy protocols — including phone calls, written notices, and welfare checks requested through law enforcement.

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

santamariatimes.com

Step 4: Continued absences may lead to a meeting with the School Attendance Review Board (SARB), where we’ll connect you with community resources and create a formal attendance agreement. In serious cases, this may include legal follow-up.

Mission Valley Independent Study School

Mission Valley Independent Study School

missionvalleyschool.lusd.org

I'll venture a guess Ashlee never responded to any of the communications, let alone attended a meeting with SARB

Thanks for reviewing all that for us.

 

[katydid23]

Oddy, there was no security footage of Ashlee at the car rental agency shared by SBCSO. Only that of Ashlee. I commented previously, I find that odd. Since she was the adult driving the car, and making stops along the way. One would think a picture of her also, would help to solict the tips they are asking the public to submit.

Guess they have their reasons. But the imaginative side of my brain took a left turn and is creating some wild possibilities.

Typo? you mean only that of Melodee----for clarification....

 

[cherrymeg]

Can’t LE/CPS bring Ashlee in for questioning since she’s failed to produce Melodee?

I thought in some states truancy or not sending your kid or kids to school was punishable by fines or jail time. I could be wrong. This is also a post Covid world where some kids have spent a year or more doing online classes. It seems like if you have custody of a child you should be able to account for their whereabouts. If you don’t know where they are then they are missing. If you don’t report that isn’t that abuse or neglect?

 

[cherrymeg]

So according to the link below, independent study students are not subject to truancy laws

“Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade independent study are not subject to CA’s traditional truancy laws.
Instead, EC sections 51747(b) and 51749.5(a)(8)(B) call for an evaluation to determine whether or not the student should remain in independent study. LEAs are also required to have in their independent study board policies a plan for tiered reengagement strategies to include outreach and clear standards for requiring a student-parent-educator conference. EC sections 51747(d) and 51749.5(a)(8)(C)”

Independent Study Frequently Asked Questions - Independent Study (CA Dept of Education)

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers pertaining to independent study.

www.cde.ca.gov

As @Knox had previously reported, the school
Followed escalation procedures as per their statement and LE statements - which included letters, meeting requests etc.

This is my confusion a bit about what happened

Gathering what I can, it looks like at this point there should have been a referral for classroom attendance and then a hearing with the SARB (review board) and truancy would then apply. I’m not sure we heard much about this avenue but rather LE getting involved.

This makes me wonder if there was a reason it went that direction that we don’t yet know.

I could be missing a piece of the puzzle that’s been announce already too so feel free to fill in a gap if I left one

ETA I wonder if her school record was already flagged due to previous
(Reportedly) CPS involvement

If both mother and daughter were gone would that be less suspicious. If you have custody or are the sole parent of a kid moving isn’t a crime. She didn’t move but her child isn’t living with her. If this is a spiteful custody battle again why didn’t she leave with her child. Can you give your child away legally. Also wouldn’t that be an adoption. If you did that why not tell LE? I’m surprised you don’t get in trouble for not being able to produce a kid that you have custody of. You can leave your kid with relatives even friends. I don’t understand how you can lose a kid, not report them missing or refuse to say where they are and not be held accountable.

 

[SimplyCass]

This a complete shot in the dark, but car rental places can have very specific policies on out-of-state travel.

SMX

Book direct and prepay for the best rates online at Santa Maria Public Airport in Santa Maria, CA with Budget Car Rental

www.budget.com

As an example, both Budget locations in the Santa Maria area (at the airport and the one off-site) do not allow travel out of CA, but you can get approval for it. Car rentals companies I'm more familiar with using sometimes have a specific shortlist of states you can drive through.

Also not sure of specific info, but are car rental companies being asked to train its workers to ask questions to identify potential kidnapping or trafficking victims? Like, I know airport staff have been trained to look for such signs.

But, I concede, I don't really think there's any sane and rational way to actually stop someone from renting a car, even if there are questions. 1500 miles one way to Nebraska is an incredible drive though, IMO.

 

[Hexe]

RSBM

looks like they found security camera footage

The mystery deepens...

Mom of Melodee Buzzard, 9-Year-Old Last Seen in Disguise Wig, Didn't Let Family See Her for Years: Relatives

Melodee Buzzard was reported missing by a school official on Oct. 14.

people.com

If I'm to be honest these cctv pics look more like Ashlee in kid clothes than like Melodee herself.

 

[TMich6811]

In a written statement released Friday afternoon, district officials said Melodee and her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, visited Mission Valley Independent School in August to begin the registration process for independent study, a program in which students complete coursework off campus under teacher supervision.

“We appreciate our staff’s care, vigilance, and procedural follow-through, which accelerated the appropriate next steps,” the district said, crediting employees for acting promptly once concerns arose.

Lompoc Unified noted that some early reports suggesting Melodee had been missing since 2024 were inaccurate, and that staff had followed required procedures after noticing the child had not attended or collected assignments.

Under California education law, independent-study programs require ongoing contact between families and credentialed teachers. If a student does not begin attendance or fails to engage, schools must initiate truancy protocols — including phone calls, written notices, and welfare checks requested through law enforcement.

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

santamariatimes.com

Step 4: Continued absences may lead to a meeting with the School Attendance Review Board (SARB), where we’ll connect you with community resources and create a formal attendance agreement. In serious cases, this may include legal follow-up.

Mission Valley Independent Study School

Mission Valley Independent Study School

missionvalleyschool.lusd.org

I'll venture a guess Ashlee never responded to any of the communications, let alone attended a meeting with SARB

Thanks for reviewing all that for us.

Yep I think you’re correct and I do feel there may have been the potential for previous knowledge of possible CPS intervention for the rush and quick at risk as @OntarioMom (why is my drop down not popping up anymore?!) stated.

Now I’m wondering this -

If they reached the point of a no show at a SARB meeting or did not sign a SARB agreement, the schoolcan move forward with legal action against the family including 1. Probate department investigate on behalf of the minor 2. Request a social services petition on behalf of the minor 3. Require district to file a complaint against parents

SARB Procedures - School Attendance Review Boards (CA Dept of Education)

Information on the school attendance review board (SARB) processes.

www.cde.ca.gov

So - if she no showed all of that as she presumably did per the link from @Knox , that prompted the legal filing as they reported - which would have prompted the social services petition.

This should, in my professional opinion, typically be enough to prompt a judge to sign a requirement to show the child. Imminent risk wouldn’t necessarily be relevant as the minor and parents could both have legal action and CPS involvement based on truancy laws.

With that being said I think the next question is - does California allow a judge to sign for a show requirement and what obligations have to be met in that. I haven’t gone the CPS/legal aspect rabbit hole yet

 

[TMich6811]

If I'm to be honest these cctv pics look more like Ashlee in kid clothes than like Melodee herself.

This is an interesting point

I wonder what Melodee’s current skin tone looks like compared to moms. The image is a very pale tone.