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The grandmother of missing Melodee Buzzard says she was in the process of adopting the child when the 9-year-old's mother "took her away" shortly after being released from a mental hospital in 2021.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into Melodee’s whereabouts on Oct. 14 after a school administrator reported she hadn’t attended for a "prolonged" period. Deputies said her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, could not provide a verifiable explanation for the girl’s location.

Authorities said that Ashlee has "remained uncooperative and has not confirmed Melodee’s location or welfare." Melodee is considered missing and "at risk" by the sheriff's office, which is receiving help from the FBI to locate the mis

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