Judge Dismisses Felony Case Against Ashlee Buzzard
Alissa Orozco
LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – Today, a Lompoc judge dismissed a felony case against Ashlee Buzzard, the mother of missing nine-year-old Melodee Buzzard, one day after she appeared in court on her felony charge of false imprisonment.
Buzzard was charged with false imprisonment after reports that she refused to let a man named Tyler Brewer leave her Vandenberg Village home. In a conversation with your News Channel, Brewer claimed she became agitated when he mentioned a location along a three-day drive Ashlee took with Melodee across several states, and refused to let him leave.
A recording presented in court today proves this was not true.
A judge dropped the charges after a recording taken by Ashlee did not reflect Brewer’s side of the story that same day. An audio recording showed no locations were mentioned, there was no change in demeanor, even Ashlee opening the door for Brewer to leave her home.
While the judge acknowledged not wanting to make light of anxiety disorders, which Brewer does have, his story is not an accurate depiction of what happened that day as shown in the recording.
Ashlee was cleared of all charges and is no longer required to wear an ankle monitor as previously mandated.
Buzzard has been under intense scrutiny for being uncooperative in the search to find her daughter Melodee, who has not been seen since Oct. 9th near the Colorado-Utah border.
Detectives confirmed Ashlee left California with Melodee on Oct. 7 in a white 2024 Chevy Malibu bearing a California license plate, and traveled as far as the state of Nebraska. Surveillance images from the Lompoc rental car dealership on Oct. 7 shows the last known pictures of the little girl, with both Ashlee and Melodee wearing wigs. Ashlee returned without Melodee.
Melodee is described as a 9-year-old girl, standing four feet, six inches tall, 60 pounds with brown curly hair and brown eyes.
Detectives are asking anyone who has seen Melodee or has information about her whereabouts to contact the Sheriff’s Office through one of the following methods:
· Detectives Line: (805) 681-4150
· Anonymous Tip Line: (805) 681-4171 · Online Tips: SBSheriff.org
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