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New photos released by California officials are seen showing 9-year-old Melody Buzzard is missing, possibly in disguise The search for the child continues for another week with few answers.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said the girl’s image — her hood pulled tightly, her hair hidden beneath a dark wig — was taken at a Lompoc car rental business on Oct. 7, just days before her disappearance.
The search for Melody began on October 14, According to a statement, a school board official notified authorities about his “prolonged absence.”
Deputies who went to the family home found in Lompoc said they spoke to the child’s mother, 35-year-old Ashley Buzzard, and that while the child was not home, “there is no verifiable explanation for it”. [Melodee’s] The location was made available,” officials said.
New surveillance photos now show Melody with her mother, shortly before the two disappeared on a multi-state road trip.
Investigators have narrowed the key timeframe to October 7 through October 10, when Buzzard is believed to have driven from Lompoc to Nebraska and back in a white Chevrolet Malibu rental car.
“Investigators understand that this three-day road trip went from Lompoc to the Nebraska area, with the return trip also including the state of Kansas,” the sheriff’s office said. “Detectives are now focused on determining where Melody was during those three days and where she may be now.”
The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office is assisting in the search, confirming that Melody “may have been with her mother as recently as October 7” and that Ashley “may have driven with Melody up to the state of Nebraska.” The rental car is no longer in the mother’s possession.
Investigators said they believe the wig worn by Melody in the photos may have been used to alter her appearance. She also noted that her mother is known for wearing wigs.
Melody is considered at risk due to her age and the length of her absence.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said, “Our detectives are following every lead in this case. We are continuing to seek information from the public that can help us find Melody.” “We are committed to bringing him home safely.”
Authorities say Buzzard has been uncooperative and has not provided any information about her daughter’s whereabouts.
“The Sheriff’s Office shares the community’s concern for Melody’s safety and is committed to bringing her home,” Sheriff Brown said.
“We hope Melody may be with someone – perhaps a family member or friend – who may not know the circumstances of her disappearance.”
Melody is described as being approximately 4 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 60 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about the child’s disappearance or location is encouraged to contact detectives at (805) 681-4150 or use an anonymous tip line at (805) 681-4171. The public can also submit tips online at SBSheriff.org.