4 indicted on several charges involving death of baby, Miya Rudd
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear discusses case with 14 News
OHIO CO., Ky. (WFIE) - An Ohio County Grand Jury has indicted the parents and grandfather of Miya Rudd, as well as another man.
Court officials confirm Tesla Tucker, Cage Rudd, Ricky Smith, and Brodie Payne were each indicted.
All of them but Tucker were indicted on these 13 charges:
1. Engaging in organized crime
2. Criminal abuse of a child
3. Enhanced trafficking of meth
4. Convicted felon in possession of a handgun
5. Convicted felon in possession of a handgun
6. Convicted felon in possession of a handgun
7. Trafficking marijuana
8. Enhanced drug possession
9. Wanton Endangerment
10. Abuse of corpse
11. Tampering with physical evidence
12. Trafficking in legend drug
13. Failure to report a death
Tucker was indicted on all of these, other than the three gun charges.
We first told you about Miya when she was missing more than two weeks ago.
Kentucky State Police say her remains were finally discovered inside the family’s Reynold’s Station home on Friday.
Troopers say the home was in deplorable conditions with drugs in plain view.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear who was in Henderson for a community event.
14 News brought the case and some of our questions to his attention.
“Anytime that you lose a child, especially a child this young, it’s hard,” says Beshear.
When asked about a potential investigation being opened up into social services, Beshear said Kentucky State Police are continuing their investigation, followed by this:
“It’s important that we hold responsible whoever caused the death of that child, and then if there’s anything to change in the future in terms of placements or other things that are done,” says Beshear. “Listen, anytime there’s a tragedy, you want to find something you can learn from the tragedy. You want to find something in honor of that lost individual, and in this instance, in that lost baby, where we can maybe do a little bit more next time to try and better protect that next child.”
As the investigation continues, Beshear says they review all these kind of instances. He also referenced Kentucky’s “Child Fatality Review Committee” that does a deeper dive into every instance and any trends that appear on a year-by-year basis.
“I think that people will look at this case and are already internally, and saying, ‘what else is there?’ Even looking back, could there have been any type of red flag?” questions Beshear. “That’s not about second-guessing the instant situation, it’s about wondering if there’s another step we can do in the future.”
14 News has asked the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services a list of questions regarding Miya’s case over a week ago.
We’re still waiting to receive answers.
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