California authorities are trying to track down a 9-year-old girl who they say hasn't been seen in at least one year.

The search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard was sparked on Tuesday when a school official reported her "prolonged absence," the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said. Melodee is homeschooled and has not checked in since October 2024, according to the sheriff's office.

When deputies responded to her home, Melodee and her mom, Ashlee Buzzard, weren't there, and "no clear explanation was provided" for where Melodee was, the sheriff's office said. Then, on Wednesday night, deputies returned to the home and Ashlee Buzzard was there, but Melodee was not, authorities said. No one else lives at the house, authorities said.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office is searchin

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