Four people in missing infant case to face preliminary hearing

HARTFORD, Ky. (WEHT) – Four people connected to the case of a missing Ohio County infant were in court on new charges.

The four suspects facing a judge today include the parents Cage Rudd and Tesla Tucker; Grandfather Ricky Smith and another man named Brodie Payne. Authorities say all four people lived at a house in Reynolds Station where Kentucky State Police investigators found the remains of an infant last week. The remains have not yet been confirmed to be Miya Rudd.

Per procedural reasons, the suspects that appeared in court Monday all gave an automatic “not guilty” plea.

Authorities said in court today that the abuse charges in the case were based on living conditions and the discovery of meth residue in in a room that contained a bassinet, diapers, and other items. During the investigation, 61 pills of Trasidone were also found in the Reynolds Station home on the fireplace.

There were also unused syringes and other evidence in relation to a pending case in Daviess County. Meanwhile, authorities found two hand guns in the back bedroom and a muzzle loader in the attic. Officials note no scales were found in the immediate household.

The investigation is ongoing and Kentucky State Police say more charges are likely.

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