Parents of missing 8-month-old in Kentucky charged with abuse of corpse and tampering with evidence

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

8 2 minutes read

CASE. WE HAVE A TRAGIC UPDATE ON THE SEARCH FOR A MISSING BABY IN OHIO COUNTY. STATE POLICE SAY A CHILD'S BODY WAS FOUND DURING THE SEARCH FOR EIGHT-YEAR-OLD MYA RUDD, AND THEY BELIEVE IT'S MYA. Police found a decomposed body hidden in his parents' home at Reynolds Station, about 90 miles west of Louisville. FOUR PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS. HIS PARENTS, TESLA TUCKER CAGE, RUDD, ALONG WITH RICKY SMITH AND BRODY PAYNE OF REYNOLDS STATION, WERE ALL CHARGED WITH ABUSE OF A CORPSE, TAMPERING WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AND FAILURE TO REPORT THE DEATH OF A PERSON. MYA WAS REPORTED MISSING LAST WEEK AFTER STATE POLICE ARRIVED AT HER HOME FOR A WARRANT SEARCH AND WELFARE CHECK. At the time, his mother, father and both grandparents were arrested and charged with several drug offenses.

Parents of missing 8-month-old in Kentucky charged with abuse of corpse and tampering with evidence

Kentucky State Police have filed new charges in connection with the discovery of a dead infant found during the search for 8-month-old Miya Rudd. Rudd's parents, Tesla Tucker and Cage Rudd, were previously charged with several drug offenses, child abuse and abandonment of a minor. Now they have been charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and failure to report a death as well. Ricky Smith and Brodie Payne of Reynolds Station, already in custody on other charges, were also charged with the same offenses. Smith's previous charges in connection with the case were drug trafficking and child abuse charges, as well as weapons possession as a convicted felon. The Paynes trafficked in controlled substances, trafficked in legendary drugs, trafficked in marijuana, engaged in organized crime and paraphernalia possession, and wanton endangerment. Miya was reported missing last week after KSP went to her home for a search and welfare check. At that time, his mother, father and two grandparents were arrested. Miya was last seen in April. KSP said Friday afternoon that around 1:15 p.m. they found a decomposing body hidden inside his parents' house in a “concealed” manner. “Once investigators have processed the scene, the baby will be taken to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville.

OHIO COUNTY, Kentucky —

Kentucky State Police have filed new charges in connection with the discovery of a dead infant found during the search for 8-month-old Miya Rudd.

Rudd's parents, Tesla Tucker and Cage Rudd, have previously been charged with several offenses related to drugs, child abuse and abandonment of a minor.

Today, they are accused of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and failure to report a death.

Ricky Smith and Brodie Payne, of Reynolds Station, already in custody on other charges, were also charged with the same offences.

Smith's previous charges in this case included drug trafficking and child abuse, as well as gun possession as a convicted felon.

The Paynes trafficked in controlled substances, trafficked in legendary drugs, trafficked in marijuana, engaged in organized crime and possession of paraphernalia, as well as wanton endangerment.

Miya was reported missing last week after KSP went to her home for a search and welfare check.

At the time, his parents, as well as both grandparents, were arrested.

Miya was last seen in April.

KSP said Friday afternoon that around 1:15 p.m. they found a decomposing body hidden inside his parents' home in a “concealed” manner.

Once investigators have processed the scene, the baby will be taken to the Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office in Louisville.