Search for missing baby in Kentucky sparks new arrests

Police searching for missing 8-month-old baby Miya Tucker have made more arrests in Kentucky.

Officers arrested Miya's grandmother, Billie J. (Rudd) Smith, 49, on assault and domestic violence warrants related to incidents that occurred in October 2023 during a search for the child over the weekend.

Timothy L. Roach, 37, was also arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of a prescription controlled substance not in an appropriate container, according to an official update. His connection to Miya Tucker or her family remains unclear.

Miya's grandmother was held at the Ohio Country Detention Center on $25,000 bail.

Kentucky State Police are continuing their search for a missing child after arresting her parents Thursday in Ohio County, Kentucky.

An investigation was opened following a search warrant and a social check. Miya's mother, Tesla Tucker, 29, was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, engaging in organized crime and abandonment of a minor.

Miya's father, Cage Rudd, 30, was also arrested on the same charges. Both were initially held at the Daviess County Detention Center in Owensboro.

A third person who lived with the family, identified as Ricky Smith, 56, was also arrested on drug and gun charges, as well as child abuse.

Additional charges have since been filed against Miya's parents.

Tesla Tucker was charged with drug trafficking, marijuana and methamphetamine, as well as first-degree child abuse.

Miya's father, Cage, was charged with trafficking controlled substances and child abuse as well.

Ricky Smith, Miya's grandfather, was charged with several charges, including trafficking in controlled substances, child abuse, abandonment of a minor, engaging in organized crime and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon guilty.

Rudd, Tucker and Smith were scheduled to appear Monday in Ohio County District Court in Hartford.

News week contacted Kentucky State Police for additional information.

Miya would have brown hair and green eyes. She was last suspected to be in the care of her parents, Tesla Tucker and Cage C. Rudd. However, the 8-month-old child could not be found during the social check.

WEHT, an ABC-affiliated television station located in Evansville, Indiana, reported Friday that residents in the town of Reynolds Station said they were joining the search for Miya Tucker.

Shane Heminway, a neighbor of the baby's family, told WEHT that residents had had problems with Rudd and Tesla Tucker, saying the pair were driving cars into the cemetery and driving dangerously.

Kentucky State Police urged anyone with information about Miya Rudd to contact 270-826-3312.

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