Kentucky authorities have discovered human remains believed to be those of eight-month-old Miya Rudd, who vanished in April 2024. The grim discovery was made during a welfare check in Reynolds Station, Kentucky, which led to the detention of multiple family members.
Previously identified as Miya Tucker, the infant was last seen by her relatives in April. Kentucky State Police, conducting a welfare check on June 6, were unable to find her. Miya’s parents, Tesla Tucker, 29, and Cage Rudd, 30, initially stated that child services had taken the baby, an assertion later proven false.
During the welfare check, officers stumbled upon drug paraphernalia, including methamphetamine, inside the house. As per an arrest affidavit, Miya’s umbilical cord tested positive for methamphetamine at her birth in October 2023, raising red flags about her exposure to drugs. Consequently, her parents and her grandfather, Ricky Smith, 56, were detained on multiple charges related to her disappearance.
On June 14, troopers discovered an infant’s body hidden within the Rudd home. As per the Kentucky State Police, “The decomposed body was located inside the residence, hidden in a concealed manner.” The remains were transported to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville for further analysis.
On June 17, the suspects were arraigned. Miya’s parents and grandfather, along with another resident, Brodie Payne, 28, were slapped with charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and failure to report a death. All four entered automatic “not guilty” pleas during their court appearances.
Detective Dalton Mellott of the Kentucky State Police outlined the distressing conditions of the house, highlighting the presence of meth residue in a room with a bassinet and diapers. He also noted the finding of 61 Trazodone pills and unused syringes. The investigation uncovered two handguns in a bedroom and a muzzleloader in the attic.
Additionally, Miya’s grandparents, Taletha D. Tucker, 50, and David Tucker, 53, who were looking after Tesla Tucker’s three other kids, were also arrested. The children have since been taken from their care. Ricky Smith’s lawyer noted that the methamphetamine was not discovered in Smith’s home but in the main house. However, the judge found probable cause for all charges and sent the case to the Ohio County Grand Jury.
A GoFundMe page, launched by a woman identifying herself as Miya’s aunt, is seeking to raise funds for the infant’s memorial. The fundraiser states, “We are devastated due to this tragedy and need your help in raising enough money to give her the proper burial and memorial she deserves.” The campaign has so far raised over $6900.
The Kentucky State Police have stressed that the investigation is still underway, and additional charges may be pending. They have called on anyone with information about Miya’s disappearance to step forward.
