KSP discusses challenges in baby Miya Rudd investigation

OHIO COUNTY, Kentucky (WEHT) — People in Ohio County have more questions than answers following the discovery of an infant’s remains Friday.

Kentucky State Police found the remains Friday while searching for eight-month-old Miya Rudd.

As authorities work to positively identify the remains, some residents wonder if more could have been done to find the missing baby sooner.

“We were supposed to be looking for the missing child, but instead we were busy investigating a drug scene,” said Kentucky State Police Officer Corey King.

According to KSP, the search for baby Miya Rudd has presented a number of unique challenges. Officials say the baby was last seen in April, but they weren’t tasked with investigating until a month later.

“The most important element in a case like this is the first 48 to 52 hours. We were significantly behind and knew we had a lot of catching up to do,” says King.

According to KSP, in this case it was the family members who normally help search for the missing person who were responsible for the delays.

“Unfortunately, wherever we went with this case, it ended in some kind of arrest, whether it was for drugs or a warrant,” King says.

According to KSP, four people have been charged in connection with the remains found at the home in Reynolds Station. Miya Rudd’s parents, Tesla Tucker and Cage Rudd, grandfather Ricky Smith and Brodie Payne face several charges, including desecration of a corpse and failure to report the death of a person.

“They have not given us any information about the child’s whereabouts,” King says.

During the multi-day search for Miya Rudd, there were questions about why KSP did not issue an Amber Alert. According to KSP, certain criteria must be met for an Amber Alert to be issued. Officials say they must have evidence that the child was abducted. But for the investigation surrounding baby Miya Rudd, that is not the case, according to Trooper King.

“When the sound goes off and it’s a real sound, we know that child has been abducted and is with the person driving the car. We didn’t have any of that information. In fact, we knew the child was not abducted. It’s important to maintain the integrity of the alert system,” says Trooper King.

We have been informed that the body was transported to the Ohio County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy and then to the Kentucky County Coroner’s Office in Louisville.

“We kind of expected that this would be the end result, but we had hope that maybe she was alive somewhere,” King says.

The remains have not yet been identified. The investigation is ongoing and KSP believes additional charges are likely.