(NewsNation) — A false imprisonment charge was dropped against Ashlee Buzzard, the mother of missing 9-year-old girl Melodee Buzzard, on Thursday in a California court.

As is customary, Ashlee Buzzard was seen wearing a wig and did not take the stand during the hearing in Lompoc, California. Both Tyler Brewer, the accuser, and a Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department detective were called as witnesses. The ankle monitor Ashlee had previously been wearing was removed.

Brewer told NewsNation he has known Buzzard through a friend since 2014. He said he had been coming over to the Buzzards’ home to check on Buzzard since the case of her missing daughter was publicized.

NewsNation has exclusively obtained audio that Buzzard recorded of her encounter with Brewer, which led to the dismissal. It recorded a back-and-forth between the pair, with Brewer saying “I’d like to leave” on several occasions. At no point during the recording did Buzzard refute Brewer’s request.

The audio was played in court and proved a factor in the judge’s decision to dismiss the charge, as it did not match the situation Brewer had previously described to law enforcement. Brewer could never say for certain during the hearing that Buzzard picked up a box cutter; he alleged she had pulled such a tool as one means of keeping him in the home.

During court proceedings, it was noted that Buzzard prefers to stay at the back of her Lompoc, California, house due to concerns that the home may be bugged and people listening through the front of the house.

The search continues for Melodee Buzzard, who has not been seen since Oct. 9 in the Utah-Colorado area during a cross-country trip with Ashlee.

Brewer, who filed charges against Buzzard, told NewsNation she revealed to him where Melodee is and with whom she was left.

He did not share any further details of her whereabouts with NewsNation, except to say he suspects the girl is in Utah. Brewer also shared concern about whether what Buzzard told him was true, given her state of mind and recent behavior.