Crime alert. I'm Nancy Grace, breaking crime news now. Straight out to Nicole Parton for the latest.

Nancy, an update to the troubling case out of California as authorities continue to search for a missing

nine-year-old girl, Melody Buzzard, who hasn't been seen in weeks. It all began when a school

administrator reported Melody missing after she hadn't shown up for class in months.

Deputies went to her home, but while her mother Ashley Buzzard was there, Melody was not.

Now investigators are trying to piece together a disturbing timeline.

Surveillance photos from October 7 show Melody wearing a wig and a hooded

sweatshirt possibly to disguise her identity at a local car rental agency. That same day, her mother

rented a white Chevy Malibu and began a cross-country trip from California to Nebraska with a stop in Kansas.

But when Ashley returned to California on October 10, Melody was no longer with her.

Authorities say Ashley has been uncooperative throughout the investigation with only outdated

photos and limited information.

Detectives are working with a narrow three-day window

to determine where Melody may have gone missing

and where she might be now.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown says

they're hopeful that Melody could be with someone,

perhaps a relative or friend who doesn't realize she's missing.

Family members held a vigil Friday near the home where Melody was last seen.

Her grandmother, Lily Deans, shared a heartfelt message.

If she's listening, we love you, we're here for you, we can help.

We want you to be happy.

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