Authorities are investigating the case of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who has been missing since a road trip with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard. The trip began on October 7, when the pair left Lompoc, California, heading toward Nebraska. According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, surveillance footage captured Melodee at a rental car facility in the Santa Barbara area on the same day. In the video, she appears to be wearing a wig.

The last confirmed sighting of Melodee occurred on October 9, near the Colorado-Utah border, as reported by sheriff's spokesperson Raquel Zick. The following day, Ashlee Buzzard returned to Lompoc with the rental car, but Melodee was not with her. Investigators are now concentrating on the timeline between October 9 and October 10.

During the trip, Ashlee Buzzard allegedly removed the car's California license plate and switched it back to the original plate upon her return. Zick stated, "It appears the license plate was switched to avoid detection... we don't have any other plausible reason."

Melodee is still classified as a missing person, and no arrests have been made in connection with the case. Authorities noted that Ashlee Buzzard has not been cooperative with the investigation. Last week, investigators returned to the Buzzard home for a follow-up search as part of their ongoing efforts to locate Melodee.