Although an autopsy report shows 23.3 ng/mL of methamphetamine was in her system, the cause of death for 8-month-old Miya Rudd was ruled undetermined due to the state of decomposition. However, several new charges including murder were recently levied against Rudd’s parents and two other people. Here’s a breakdown of their superseding indictments.
According to the final diagnosis from the Office of the State Medical Examiner, Rudd’s autopsy was performed on June 14, 2024. After months of waiting on DNA results, the report was completed on January 8, 2025.
The report notes that Rudd’s remains were “found in a state of decomposition inside of a duffle bag at residence,” matching information in the Kentucky State Police citation that was first reported by Owensboro Times in June 2024.
The state medical examiner’s report says: “Based on information provided to me and postmortem examination findings, the cause of death in this 8-month-old female, Miya Rudd, is undetermined. The advanced state of decomposition precluded an optimum examination. Given the scene, circumstances and autopsy findings, the manner of death is best classified as homicide.”
The Kentucky State Police then presented the medical examiner’s report to an Ohio County Grand Jury, which on January 17 issued multi-count indictments on Tesla Tucker, Cage C. Rudd, Ricky J. Smith, and Brodie C. Payne, all of Reynolds Station.
Based on information in the indictments, a summary of the numerous allegations include:
- The defendants are accused of intentionally abusing or permitting the abuse of Miya, thereby causing serious physical injury or placing her in a situation “that may have caused serious physical injury, torture, cruel confinement or cruel punishment.”
- The defendants are accused of participating in organized crime, particularly in drug trafficking operations.
- The defendants are accused of wantonly engaging in conduct “which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury” to Miya.
- The defendants are accused of intentionally treating the corpse “in a way that would outrage ordinary family sensibilities.”
- The defendants are accused of intentionally abusing or permitting the abuse of three additional children (ages 1,3, and 6 at the time) C.C.R. a minor child born, thereby placing them “in a situation that may have caused serious physical injury or death.”
The superseding indictment shows all four defendants were charged with the following specific charges:
- Murder
- Criminal Abuse, 1st Degree (Child 12 or Under)
- Criminal Abuse, 1st Degree (Child 12 or Under) (3 counts)
- Abuse of a Corpse
- Engaging in Organized Crime
- Wanton Endangerment, 1st Degree
- Tampering with Physical Evidence
- Failure to Report Death of a Person
- Firearm-enhanced Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st Degree (<2 Grams Meth)
- Firearm-enhanced Trafficking in Marijuana (Less Than Eight Ounces)
- Firearm-enhanced Drug Paraphernalia-Buy/Possess
- Trafficking in Legend Drugs
Rudd, Smith, and Payne were additionally charged with:
- Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon (2 counts)
- Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon
Smith was also charged with:
- Persistent Felony Offender, 1st Degree
Court records show that all four defendants were given a $250,000 cash bond and will be arraigned at 10 a.m. on February 4 in Ohio County Circuit Court.
On June 15, 2024, KSP confirmed an infant’s remains consistent with missing 8-month-old Miya Rudd were found at the Rudd residence in Reynolds Station. Reports show that investigators moved their search to the inside of the residence at approximately 1:15 p.m., and that’s when they discovered the decomposed body “hidden in a concealed manner.”
According to a citation obtained by Owensboro Times, the KSP investigator located the remains inside a duffle bag in the front room of the house. It was not the first time KSP had searched the house, but King said in June 2024 there were so many drugs and drug residue inside that they had to make the residence safe for a more thorough search.
The Ohio County Coroner’s Office transported the remains to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville.
Miya’s parents Tesla Tucker and Cage Rudd, along with Ricky Smith and Brodie Payne, were each charged at the time with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and failure of a person to report the death of a person.
KSP waited several months for DNA results to come back before they could move forward with the additional charges.
Read here for our detailed coverage about the investigation leading up to the discovery of the remains, including a timeline of arrests and charges.
