Reynolds Station, Kentucky – Authorities in western Kentucky have released new details and sentencing updates in the tragic death of 8-month-old Miya Rudd, whose decomposed body was discovered inside a duffel bag beneath debris in her family’s home in June 2024. The case, which has drawn national attention, continues to expand as more charges unfold and potential death-penalty consequences emerge for two key defendants.
Infant’s Disappearance and Discovery
Investigators began searching for Miya on June 6, 2024, after the infant was officially declared missing. Roughly one week later, state police located her body hidden inside the family’s rural Reynolds Station residence, about 90 miles southwest of Louisville. Her remains were found “stuffed inside a duffel bag” and covered by debris in what police described as a deliberate attempt to conceal the death.
Authorities noted the level of decomposition was so advanced that medical examiners could not determine an exact cause of death. Investigators later confirmed that methamphetamine was present in Miya’s system, and the home environment showed significant signs of neglect and drug use.
Five Family Members and Associates Charged
The Kentucky State Police identified five individuals tied to the infant’s death and the concealment that followed:
Ricky Smith, 58; Brodie Payne, 30; Tesla Tucker, 29; Cage Rudd, 30; and Taletha Tucker, 50.
Smith and Taletha Tucker were the child’s grandparents. Tesla Tucker and Cage Rudd were Miya’s parents. Payne had no confirmed family relation but had reportedly lived in the home for six months before his arrest.
With the exception of Taletha Tucker, all were charged with drug trafficking, primarily involving methamphetamine. Investigators alleged that the fatal neglect of Miya and the effort to hide her body stemmed from a conspiracy among the adults living in the household.
Two Defendants Sentenced After Plea Deals
In a recent development, Ricky Smith and Brodie Payne accepted plea agreements that dismissed several severe charges, including murder. Both men pleaded guilty to trafficking a controlled substance, and Payne also admitted to wanton endangerment.
As part of the agreement, each received a five-year prison sentence, a decision drawing public scrutiny due to the nature of the case and the victim’s age.
Death Penalty Now Possible for Infant’s Parents
Prosecutors have filed notices of aggravating circumstances against Tesla Tucker and Cage Rudd, Miya’s parents. This legal step allows a jury to consider the death penalty if either parent is convicted of murder. Their cases remain ongoing, with the prosecution preparing to outline evidence of chronic neglect, drug use, and the conditions inside the home.
Inside the Home: Drugs, Clutter, and Hazardous Conditions
When police first entered the residence, they described the interior and exterior as heavily cluttered and unsafe. Trooper Corey King, spokesperson for the Kentucky State Police, told The Owensboro Times that the home contained so much drug residue that investigators first needed to ensure the space was safe to enter.
“It was a danger for anyone in there,” King explained. “They had to make sure the house was sanitized so it wasn’t going to harm us or any of our investigators overdose while searching.”
Miya’s remains were eventually located beneath a pile of debris inside the concealed duffel bag, further revealing the extent of attempts to hide the child’s death.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Proceedings
The case continues to shock residents across Kentucky, as new layers of neglect, drug trafficking, and alleged conspiracy surface with each court proceeding. The most serious outcomes now rest in the hands of prosecutors and jurors as they assess whether Miya’s parents should face the harshest possible penalties under state law.
Authorities remain committed to presenting a full timeline of events leading up to the infant’s disappearance and the conditions that resulted in her death.
Share Your Thoughts
What are your reactions to the handling of this case and the sentencing updates? Share your thoughts in the comments.
