The mother of a missing nine-year-old California child pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony false imprisonment during the ongoing search for her daughter, Melodee Buzzard.

Ashlee Buzzard, 40, appeared in court on Wednesday and was released from jail in Santa Barbara on bail with a GPS device. She is due back in court on Nov. 19.

On Nov. 7, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced it had arrested Ashlee on a false imprisonment charge unrelated to her daughter Melodee’s disappearance.

“Detectives learned of a recent incident where Ashlee prevented a victim from leaving a location, against their will which constitutes false imprisonment. This crime is not connected to the ongoing search for Melodee, however, detectives are unable to fully outline the crime as it would imp

See Full Page