VANDENBERG VILLAGE, Calif. (KSBY) – The neighbors of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard said the girl’s home was surrounded by law enforcement vehicles as her mother was arrested on unrelated charges Friday.
The neighbors said the armed officers knocked on the front door of the house and told Ashlee Buzzard they would break it down if she did not answer.
Ashlee Buzzard reportedly opened the door before being handcuffed and escorted to a sheriff’s vehicle at the end of her driveway.
According to the sheriff’s office, Buzzard’s arrest was not connected to her daughter’s disappearance.
Authorities said they obtained an arrest warrant for a felony charge of false imprisonment after learning Buzzard recently prevented a victim from leaving a location.
Officials did not provide any other details.
Buzzard’s paternal aunt, Lizabeth Meza, said she was disappointed to know Buzzard’s arrest would not lead to any more information about Melodee’s disappearance.
“Well, it was like a bittersweet moment, you know, because they finally arrested her. But where’s Melodee?” she said.
Buzzard’s mother Lori Miranda said she thought about reconnecting with her daughter after the recent events, but only if it would help with the investigation.
“You really need to talk to these people, and you really need to tell where she is because this is getting really scary and it’s getting out of hand,” Miranda said.
Court filings in Santa Barbara County under the names Ashlee Buzzard, Ashlee L. Buzzard, and Ashlee Lynn Buzzard show multiple civil collection cases, including lawsuits from Discover Bank and Capital One along with older traffic infractions.
“We know nothing, we are just as confused as everybody else of what’s going on,” Meza said.
Corinna Meza, Melodee’s half-sister on her father’s side, said she thought there would be answers when she learned of Buzzard’s arrest.
“I was hoping that we finally got the answers that we needed from her, you know, that we’re one step closer to getting back Melodee,” Corinna Meza said.
The family’s message remains direct to anyone who may know where Melodee is.
“Just return her so she can get the help and care that she needs. At this point, I’m sure it’s a completely traumatic experience for her,” Lizbeth Meza said.
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