KSP continues search for missing 8-month-old baby in Ohio County

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky State Police were in Ohio County Tuesday as the search for the missing 8-month-old girl, dead or alive, continues.

KSP had cadaver dogs out Tuesday afternoon searching the area where Miya Rudd’s family lived, as well as the area behind the house, including a cemetery right up the road.

“Somebody knows. There’s no if ands or buts about that,” Beverly Hines, of Breckinridge County, said.

This is the kind of story that rocks a small town, becoming the talk of several Kentucky counties — a story of a missing baby and an unravelling a drug ring, according to police.

"You go the gas station they’re talking about it, work we’re talking about it, patients talking about it, co-workers talking about it,” Hines said.

Last week, KSP shared its searching for missing 8-month old Miya after receiving a tip the baby had not been seen since April.

KSP searched around 10 acres of land with cadaver dogs Tuesday afternoon.

“The greatest and the biggest work in theories that we have is that unfortunately the child may not be alive and very well could be in this area," KSP Trooper Corey King said.

As police have searched for Miya, her parents, Tesla Tucker, 29, and Cage Rudd, 32, and grandfather, Ricky Smith, 58, have been charged with the abandonment of a minor and several drug-related charges.

"Unfortunately, all the other crimes are getting in our way to have to deal with and at the end of the day, we just care about this baby," Trooper King said.

The 8-month-old baby’s grandmother, Billie J. Smith, has also been arrested for a warrant related to domestic violence incident from October 2023. While police went to perform the welfare check on the baby at the grandmother’s home, another man, Timothy L. Roach, 37, was arrested when troopers saw him throw suboxone under his car.

KSP said Miya’s parents have three older children in the state’s care, and child services had been trying to take Miya.

Following the baby’s birth, the umbilical chord tested positive for meth.

Police said the state was never able to locate Miya or her parents until the tip came in of her missing.

As the days go on, KSP warns on the outcome.

“The more grim it looks," Trooper King said.

"Just pray for that baby," Hines said.

KSP said they plan to be out here again later this week, this time with specialized equipment from the medical examiner's office as well as more cadaver dogs.

Related Stories: