VANDENBERG VILLAGE, Calif. (Scripps News San Luis Obispo) — Ashlee Buzzard, the mother of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who has been the subject of a missing person investigation, was taken into custody on Friday.
Ashlee Buzzard was arrested on a felony charge unrelated to her daughter’s disappearance on Nov. 7, 2025. (Scripps News San Luis Obispo)
Buzzard was seen handcuffed and being led by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s officials from her Vandenberg Village home into a waiting sheriff’s vehicle.
Sheriff’s officials say her arrest on a felony charge of false imprisonment is unrelated to their missing person investigation. Officials say detectives recently learned that Ashlee had prevented a victim from leaving a location against their will. They say no other information about that incident is being released at this time.
MORE | Investigators: Missing Melodee Buzzard’s mom changed wigs on road trip
The road in front of Ashlee’s house was briefly closed to traffic starting around 11:15 a.m. while authorities were at the scene on Friday. Bail has been set at $100,000. Jail records show Buzzard remained in custody as of Monday evening.
Meanwhile, sheriff’s officials say detectives remain focused on locating Melodee.
Scripps News San Luis Obispo spoke with the alleged victim in the case, identified in the criminal complaint as Tyler S. Brewer. He said he’s a local paralegal and legal document assistant and knew Buzzard years ago. He says he was at her home last week when Buzzard had a box cutter near her and wouldn’t let him leave.
He says he initially reached out to her to see if he could help find Melodee and was in communication with authorities during his talks with Buzzard. He tells us he’s now very worried about Melodee, and when asked about his recent interactions with the girl’s mother, he said, “The whole thing was so bizarre.”
MORE | Judge orders mother of missing Melodee Buzzard released from custody
Brewer released the following statement Monday evening in an effort “to ensure accuracy and to protect the integrity of the case,” following “widespread public speculation” surrounding Melodee’s disappearance and the active investigation.
“When Melodee was reported missing, I contacted Ashlee Buzzard solely to offer assistance in locating a missing child. I am a legal document assistant, process server, mandated reporter, and perceived officer of the court. In that capacity, I immediately reported all concerning communication and inconsistencies directly to law enforcement.
On November 6th, during an interaction at her residence, the situation escalated. Ms. Buzzard became visibly distressed after sharing information she appeared to regret disclosing. A box cutter was produced, and despite multiple requests to be allowed to exit the home, I was not immediately permitted to leave. The door was secured by several locks, which delayed my ability to exit. This incident was reported to law enforcement.
I am also in communication with Melodee’s father’s family, who share the same objective — locating her and ensuring her safety.
I will not provide further details at this time, as this remains an active investigation and search effort.
My position has never changed:
Find Melodee. Protect the investigation. Bring her home safely.”
Detectives have been investigating the little girl’s disappearance since Oct. 14, when the Lompoc Unified School District reported her prolonged absence.
Anyone with information about Melodee’s whereabouts is urged to call the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Detectives line at (805) 681-4150. Anonymous tips can be made by calling (805) 681-4171 or on the sheriff’s website.
This story was originally published by Scripps News San Luis Obispo, an E.W. Scripps Company.
