Mother of California girl who vanished on road trip pleads not guilty to false imprisonment

The mother of a missing California child pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony false imprisonment, a charge authorities say is unrelated to the disappearance of her 9-year-old daughter last month

The mother of a missing California child pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony false imprisonment, a charge authorities say is unrelated to the disappearance of her 9-year-old daughter last month.

Ashlee Buzzard, 40, appeared in court with her public defender and was released from jail in Santa Barbara despite objections from the district attorney’s office, according to a statement from Amber Frost, a spokesperson for the district attorney.

Buzzard must wear a GPS tracking device and is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 19.

She is accused of holding Tyler S. Brewer, a paralegal, against his will on Nov. 6 at her Lompoc, California, home, according to the criminal complaint. She was arrested the same day.

“The manner in which the crime was carried out indicates planning, sophistication or professionalism,” the criminal complaint said.