The parents and a grandparent of Kentucky baby Miya Rudd, found dead last week, pleaded not guilty to charges related to her death during a preliminary hearing Monday in Ohio County.
Miya’s parents, Tesla Tucker, and Cage Rudd, along with defendants Ricky Smith and Brodie Payne, pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and failing to report a death. They are also facing drug charges that predate the discovery of Miya’s remains in their Reynolds Station home.
During Monday’s hearing, Kentucky State Police Detective Dalton Mellott testified about the evidence found, leading to the charges.
Mellott described finding edibles, scales, large bags, and firearms associated with drug trafficking inside the family’s home on June 14, according to News 14. Police also discovered Miya’s remains hidden under debris “in a concealed manner.”
“The most alarming was a meth bag, lying on the floor next to Narcan, in a room with a bassinet and child’s bed,” Mellott stated.
“Edibles were literally laying on top of the handgun. Scales, large bags that are commonly used for drug trafficking as well as the guns that are commonly used in drug trafficking operations.”
Ricky Smith’s defense attorney argued that Smith lived in a camper on the property, not the house allegedly involved with meth, while attorneys for Rudd and Tucker questioned the difference between drug possession and trafficking.
Judge Gregory Vincent ruled that the conditions justified the charges against the defendants.
“Drug residue was found in the baby’s room among deplorable living conditions. Smith’s presence nearby does not absolve him,” the judge said.
Vincent said probable cause has been established, and the case will proceed with charges against all three. Their cases will now be referred to an Ohio grand jury.
A charge of abandoning a minor was dismissed.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, a total of eight people have been arrested in this case. The other suspects include Billie Smith, Timothy Roach, Taletha Tucker, and David Tucker. All suspects are facing multiple charges.
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[Feature Photo: Miya Tucker (Rudd)/Kentucky State Police]
