Melodee Buzzard's family 'in the dark' as FBI investigates

(NewsNation) — Relatives of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard revealed her mother tore down missing posters of Melodee as the search for the girl continues.

NewsNation affiliate KTLA reported new search warrants were served Thursday at the home of Melodee's mom, Ashlee Buzzard, a storage locker and the rental car used by Ashlee Buzzard this month.

Melodee's mom was removed from her home with assistance from the FBI, 16 days after Melodee was reported missing Oct. 14 by a Lompoc Unified School District administrator.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office released new pictures last Friday showing what is believed to be Melodee wearing a wig at a car rental business in California on Oct. 7 before leaving the state with her mother. Ashlee returned to California three days later without her daughter, according to investigators.

Amid the investigation, Melodee's aunt, Lizabeth Meza, told "Banfield" she has little clarity on the missing case.

"We spoke to the news girl who's been following it, she called and just let us know what was going on ... but as far as detectives, we've called, left messages, and they haven't returned any calls, so we've been in the dark," Meza said.

Video showed Ashlee taking down missing posters of Melodee outside and near her home, which was "extremely hard to watch" for Meza.

"I know my niece went out there, my mother-in-law and family members, and put signs up there, not only for the community see it, but for Ashlee to remember, you know, that you have this beautiful daughter, and we want her back," she said.

"We want her safe, and for her to just rip them down like they didn't mean anything. It's definitely heartbreaking."

Melodee's sister, Corinna Meza, told "Banfield" she has not been able to get any answers regarding Melodee from her mother.

"She did not answer any questions regarding Melodee, only to let me know that everything has been hard on her and her mental health, and that she didn't appreciate all the attention she's been getting, and the fact that I was there and knocking at the door," Corinna Meza said.

"She doesn't really have much emotion, like a very straight face, like, no emotion at all," Corinna Meza added of Ashlee's emotions during their interaction.

Lizabeth told NewsNation she was unaware of any family or personal connection to Nebraska or Kansas, the states that Ashlee traveled through after leaving California and before returning.