Two people charged in the death of an eight-month-old Ohio County baby have pled guilty to drug charges.
Miya Rudd was murdered in April 2024. Miya’s parents, Tesla N. Tucker, 31, and Cage C. Rudd, 32, along with her paternal grandfather, Ricky J. Smith, 58, and a family friend, Brodie C. Payne, 30, all of Reynolds Station, were indicted by an Ohio County Grand Jury for murder and three counts of criminal abuse of a child (victim under the age of 12), according to Kentucky State Police.
Smith and Payne both pled guilty to trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) while Payne also pled guilty to first-degree wanton endangerment late last month. All other charges filed against the two men were dropped.
Both defendants were sentenced to five years in prison.
The case
Miya went missing in late April 2024 from her Reynolds Station home in Ohio County. Following an intensive investigation involving several law enforcement agencies, on June 14, 2024, her decomposed body was found hidden in a duffel bag inside the residence where she lived with her parents, Smith and Payne.
Miya’s grandmother, Taletha D. Tucker, 51, had been granted custody of Tesla Tucker’s three children, but it was determined she violated a court order by allowing the children to continue to live with Tesla Tucker.
“During the investigation, a hair follicle sample was taken from each child which two of the three children returned positive for methamphetamine and cannabis,” according to state police. “It is believed Taletha Tucker permitted the children to stay with Tesla Tucker in Reynolds Station which violated the order and came in contact with the substances.”
The investigation also determined Taletha Tucker provided a large sum of money to Tesla Tucker and Cage Rudd so the couple could avoid apprehension.
Taletha Tucker was charged with first-degree criminal abuse (victim under the age of 12), controlled substance endangerment of a child and first-degree hindering prosecution or apprehension. Tucker was also charged with being a fugitive from another state (Indiana).
Tesla N. Tucker and Cage C. Rudd are awaiting trial.
K105’s previous coverage of Miya Rudd’s disappearance and the discovery of her body:
Miya Rudd missing, parents arrested
Cadaver dogs search for missing Miya Rudd
Maternal grandparents of Miya Rudd arrested
Third person arrested in disappearance of Ohio Co. baby, mother moved to Ohio Co. jail
Man arrested in ‘illegal drug operation’ run out of missing 8-month-old Miya Rudd’s home
Arrests continue to be made as police search for missing 8-month-old Ohio Co. girl
Body of 8-month-old Miya Tucker found ‘hidden in a concealed manner’
4 indicted for drug trafficking, child abuse in Miya Rudd death investigation
Drug residue, Narcan found near Miya Rudd’s playpen, bassinet. Baby’s body found in duffel bag
Miya Rudd’s grandmother facing new charges in disappearance, murder of 8-month-old
Parents, grandparents, family friend indicted in murder of 8-month-old Miya Rudd
(Headline photo l-r: Ricky J. Smith, Miya Rudd, Brodie Payne)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
