Missing baby found decomposed under debris in family home

REYNOLDS STATION, Ky. (Court TV) — The search for a missing baby in Kentucky ended Friday when investigators discovered the remains of a child hidden in the family's home.

Investigators told WFIE they believe decomposed remains found hidden in the home belonged to 8-month-old Miya Rudd. Kentucky State Police announced last week they were searching for the child, who had not been seen since late April.

State police said in a news release that they were unable to find Miya on June 6 when they conducted a welfare check at her home and arrested her parents, Tesla Tucker and Cage Rudd, for drugs and abandonment of a minor. The same day, Ricky Smith, Miya's grandfather, was also arrested on similar charges. On June 9, Miya's grandmother, Billy (Rudd) Smith, was arrested on unrelated charges when officers discovered she had an outstanding warrant while searching for the infant.

On June 12, Tesla Tucker's parents, Taletha and David Tucker, were both taken into custody on unrelated arrest warrants. When police searched their home, they seized electronic devices but provided no further information about a possible link to their search for Miya.

Two other men were arrested in connection with the case: Timothy Roach, who was allegedly seen throwing non-prescribed suboxone under his vehicle in the driveway of Smith's home, and Brodie Payne, who allegedly lived in the Rudd house for the past six months.

Trooper Corey King, speaking to WFIE at the scene after the remains were discovered, said the discovery was important not only to the investigation but also to those involved. “I think for the family, as well as the community as a whole, this is the closure they need,” King said. “That’s what we also need, as an investigative body, to move forward.”

“It was under a pile of debris that we unfortunately found the body of the baby,” King said.

King said when officers entered the home, they encountered “unsafe conditions” and had to sterilize areas contaminated with residue and drugs in order to conduct a thorough search.

With the child's body decomposed, King said the medical examiner would have to determine the cause of death.