KSP discovers remains of missing baby

REYNOLDS STATION, Ky. — Kentucky State Police detectives Friday found the decomposed body of a baby they believe to be an 8-month-old girl who had been missing for weeks.

State police discovered “the body of an infant matching that of Miya Rudd” in a home in Ohio County in western Kentucky. The body was “hidden in a concealed manner,” state police said.

The Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office in Louisville will conduct an autopsy.

Police began searching for Miya Rudd more than a week ago. Relatives said they had not seen Miya since late April. Investigators found his parents, Tesla Tucker, 29, and Cage Rudd, 30, at a hotel without the child.

Tucker and Rudd, along with Miya's paternal grandparents, were arrested and charged earlier this month with child abuse, abandonment and several drug offenses. Tucker and Rudd, along with his grandfather, Ricky J. Smith, were arrested and charged with child abuse and abandonment as well as several drug offenses.

Billie Smith, the baby's grandmother, was also arrested. The 49-year-old man had an active arrest warrant for domestic violence following an incident in October 2023. Officers became aware of the warrant and arrested Billie Smith during the search and investigation. of Miya Rudd's welfare. Another man charged with several drug offenses Thursday previously lived at Rudd's home, according to state police.

Police used cadaver dogs to search a church, a cemetery and a wooded area behind the family's home, then called in sonar and a forensic team.

State police officials expressed frustration during the search over the lack of cooperation from Miya's family. Trooper Corey King, a state police spokesman, said investigators were shocked by the lack of help and information from Miya's family, “those who should love and care the most “.