Maternal grandparents of missing 8-month-old child arrested, joining parents and other grandparents in detention

DAVIESS CO., Ky. (WFIE/Gray News) – Missing 8-month-old Miya Rudd's maternal grandparents, Taletha and David Tucker, who were raising her three siblings, were arrested Wednesday afternoon on arrest warrants, according to Kentucky State Police. said.

Kentucky State Police responded to the scene in Daviess County on Wednesday as part of the search for Miya, according to law enforcement. They left around 5 p.m.

Miya hasn't been seen since late April. Authorities have been looking for her for about a week.

Police said they conducted a search warrant at the Tucker home, but found nothing related to Miya's case.

The Tuckers are incarcerated at the Daviess County Detention Center in Owensboro, Kentucky. The other three children now benefit from family services.

Seven people have been arrested since Miya was reported missing last week, including her parents, Tesla Tucker and Cage Rudd; his grandparents, Ricky Smith and Billie Smith; and Timothy Roach.

Kentucky State Police say Family Services removed three older siblings some time ago.

They said Miya was born in October and her umbilical cord tested positive for methamphetamine.

Police said the intention was for her to rejoin her siblings, but on May 30 other family members informed them they had not seen Miya since late April.

During a search for her, state police said they found the parents with meth and fentanyl pills in plain sight at an Owensboro hotel, but no baby.

Police said the parents told them Family Services had taken the baby. After checking Family Services records, Kentucky State Police said that was not true.

Kentucky State Police used cadaver dog teams to search the area near the family's home. Neighbors said they saw police thoroughly searching the yard.

“It's related to the disappearance of a child and you know, it's really scary because you never know who lives around here or what their intentions are or anything,” said one neighbor.

Authorities said they found no trace of Miya at her grandparents' home. Earlier this week, authorities said there was still little information about the child's whereabouts.

“We have no evidence that she is deceased, but we also have nothing to suggest that she is alive,” said Kentucky State Trooper Corey King. “We have received little or no information from those who should know the most.”

In Daviess County Court on Wednesday, Rudd and Ricky Smith made brief court appearances via video from the Daviess County Jail. Both face a list of charges, including criminal abuse of a minor, abandonment of a minor and participation in organized crime.

The only action taken in their case was to extend the preliminary hearings by a week.

Kentucky State Police are still searching for baby Miya and plan to bring specialized equipment to the home she shared with her parents. It is not yet clear when this will happen.

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