Third person arrested in disappearance of Ohio Co. baby, mother moved to Ohio Co. jail

A third person has been arrested in the disappearance of an eight-month-old Ohio County baby not seen by family members in a month.

Kentucky State Police arrested 56-year-old Ricky J. Smith, of Reynolds Station, and charged him 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.

He’s being held in the Daviess County Detention Center on a $100,000 cash bond.

Smith was arrested as police search for eight-month-old Miya Tucker, of Reynolds Station. Troopers arrived at Tucker’s home on Wednesday to conduct a welfare check but the baby was nowhere to be found. She has not been seen for a month, according to state police, and her parents, 29-year-old Tesla Tucker and 30-year-old Cage C. Rudd, are not cooperating with investigators.

Rudd has been charged with abandonment of a minor, first-degree criminal abuse of a child (under the age of 12), two counts of possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl, methamphetamine), first-degree promoting contraband, possession of marijuana, trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine), trafficking in a legend drug, trafficking in marijuana, engaging in organized crime, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He’s being held in the Daviess County Detention Center on two bonds totaling $120,000.

Tesla Tucker, who was initially jailed in Daviess County, was transferred Friday evening to the Ohio County Detention Center where she’s been charged with criminal abuse of a child (under the age of 12), child abandonment, trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine), trafficking in a legend drug, trafficking in marijuana, engaging in organized crime, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Her bond has been set at $100,000 cash.

Police said Miya has brown hair and green eyes.

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

(Photo: Miya Tucker, courtesy of Kentucky State Police)