Kentucky State Police (KSP) released images of those arrested in connection with the missing baby, Miya Tucker Rudd, who police said was last seen by family members at the end of April.
Mugshots of Miya’s mother, Tesla Tucker, father, Cage Rudd, and grandfather, Ricky Smith have been shared with Newsweek. The trio were arrested on June 6 following a welfare check by authorities. Miya was not located with her parents during the search.
Early police reports identified the missing 8-month-old as Miya Tucker, although authorities have since clarified that her legal last name is Rudd.
Tucker, 29, and Rudd, 30, were charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, engaging in organized crime and abandonment of a minor.
They were held in the Daviess County Detention Center in Owensboro.
Miya’s grandfather, 54-year-old Ricky Smith was also arrested and charged with child abuse and abandonment of a minor, as well as drug and gun charges.
The three were set to appear in Ohio County District Court earlier this week.
Police told Newsweek that although an investigation was opened last week into her whereabouts, family members had not seen Miya since the end of April.
“It is always believed the most critical time to solve any case is two full days (or 48 hours),” said Corey King, a Kentucky State Police trooper.
“The issue with Miya’s case is we launched her missing investigation at the end of May after being notified by family she was last seen at the end of April (well past the ideal time frame).”
Cadaver dogs, trained to detect human remains, have since been deployed, although this search yielded no results.
King told the Associated Press that when Miya was born in October, her umbilical cord tested positive for methamphetamine.
The AP reported that Miya’s parents told investigators that she had been taken into the care of state officials, but no records reflect this claim.
The infant’s grandmother, 49-year-old Billie Smith has also been arrested. Police realized she had an outstanding warrant as they were conducting an investigation into Miya’s whereabouts.
Smith was arrested on Sunday on domestic violence charges alongside another man, Timothy Roach, though his connection to the case, if any, remains unclear.
Billie Smith was held on a $25,000 cash bond, a police report said.
As the investigation continues, officers have been inundated with tips regard Miya’s whereabouts.
“I’m not sure of the exact amount of tips generated but it has been numerous to the point every detective has several every day to follow up on,” King told Newsweek.
He said he remains hopeful.
Newsweek has remained in contact with KSP for additional information.
Miya is reported to have brown hair and green eyes. KSP continues to urge anyone with information that could assist their investigation to contact 270-826-3312.
Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about Miya Tucker Rudd or other missing persons? Contact [email protected]
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The post Miya Tucker Update: Mugshots Released Amid Hunt For Baby appeared first on Newsweek.
