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Melodee Buzzard was reported missing after a local school in California noticed her "prolonged absence," per police

Police believe Melodee was with her mother as recently as Oct. 7 in a vehicle that may have traveled as far as Nebraska

Melodee's extended family says her mother Ashlee Buzzard has a long history of mental illness

Authorities in California believe 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard was with her mother as recently as Oct. 7 — a week before she was reported missing.

This comes after investigators previously said the “at-risk” girl hadn't been seen in a year, PEOPLE previously reported .

The investigation into Melodee's disappearance began Tuesday, Oct. 14 after a local school reported the child's "prolonged absence," the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said

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