Cadaver dogs search wooded area for missing Ohio Co. baby, missing baby's siblings previously removed from home

The search for a missing eight-month-old baby in Ohio County resumed on Tuesday as Kentucky State Police used cadaver dogs to search a wooded area near the family’s residence.

Miya Rudd Tucker (previously referred to by authorities as Miya Tucker and Miya Rudd) has not been seen since late April. Her parents, 29-year-old Tesla Tucker and 30-year-old Cage C. Rudd, have been arrested and charged with child abandonment, criminal abuse of a child and a host of drug charges. Neither is cooperating with authorities.

Also arrested were Miya’s grandparents, 49-year-old Billie J. Smith and 56-year-old Ricky J. Smith. Ricky Smith lived with Miya and her parents in Reynolds Station.

He was charged with criminal abuse of a child (under the age of 12), trafficking and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), trafficking in a legend drug, trafficking in marijuana, engaging in organized crime, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, first-degree persistent felony offender, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Billie J. Smith was arrested by Kentucky State Police on Sunday when troopers searching for the missing baby at Smith’s residence learned she had a warrant for her arrest stemming from a domestic altercation in October 2023. She was charged with second-degree assault and lodged in the Ohio County Detention Center but has since posted a $10,000 bond.

Kentucky State Police on Tuesday spent hours searching a heavily wooded area off Hardin Lane, less than a half-mile from Miya’s home. The search proved fruitless. KSP, though, will return to the area later this week with specialized equipment designed to test soil, KSP Post 16 Public Affairs Officer Corey King told WFIE.com.

Further troubling information was released on Tuesday, including that three of Miya’s older siblings were removed “some time ago” from the home by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, according to Kentucky State Police. Miya was in the process of being removed from the home after her umbilical cord tested positive for methamphetamine.

When first confronted by troopers conducting a welfare check on Miya, the baby’s parents said she had been taken by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. A quick check, though, revealed that was untrue.

Anyone with information on Miya’s location is asked to contact Kentucky State Police at 270-826-3312 or your local law enforcement.

(Photo: Kentucky State Police guarding a wooded area being searched by cadaver dogs, courtesy of WFIE.com)