(NewsNation) — The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office has provided a key update on the investigation into the whereabouts of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, indicating that she was last seen with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, as recently as Oct. 7.

Investigators report that Ashley Buzzard may have driven with Melodee in a white Chevrolet Malibu to places outside of Santa Barbara County, possibly as far as Nebraska. The vehicle has been identified as a rental and is no longer in Buzzard's possession.

Melodee was first reported missing last Tuesday after she failed to pick up classroom assignments from her school for several weeks. The FBI announced that they joined the investigation Sunday night.

Ashlee Buzzard refusing to cooperate with authorities

Investigators initially went to

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