The Brief

PHOENIX - FBI officials say a missing and at-risk child out of California may have passed through parts of Arizona.

What we know:

According to a statement released on Nov. 5, law enforcement tried to contact 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard and her mother, Ashlee, at their home in Lompoc, Calif. in October, after a school administrator reported that Melodee has had a prolonged absence from school.

"Melodee was not there and no clear explanation was provided for her whereabouts," FBI officials wrote.

Dig deeper:

Investigators say they determined that Melodee and her mother left California on Oct. 7 in a white 2024 Chevrolet Malibu "initially bearing California license plate 9MNG101."

"The vehicle was determined to be a rental car and is no longer in Ashlee’s possession," read a

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