Overview
- Ashlee Buzzard pleaded not guilty to felony false imprisonment and was released under supervision with a GPS monitor, with a court date set for Nov. 19.
- Authorities say the false imprisonment case is separate from the disappearance of 9-year-old Melodee, with a complaint alleging a box cutter was displayed and a visitor was not allowed to leave.
- Tyler Brewer, who reported the incident, says Ashlee disclosed where Melodee was and who she was with, though he expressed doubts about the claim and police have not confirmed it.
- Detectives have narrowed the disappearance window to Oct. 7–10 after confirming Ashlee left Lompoc with Melodee in a rented Chevrolet Malibu and returned alone on Oct. 10.
- Investigators released footage indicating disguises and say the car carried switched New York plates on Oct. 8; the FBI is assisting as officials seek surveillance and tips along a route that included Nebraska, Kansas, and the Colorado–Utah border where Melodee was last seen on Oct. 9.