Taletha D. Tucker, the grandmother of Miya Rudd, the 8-month-old who was ultimately found deceased in an Ohio County home in June, is now facing additional charges related to child endangerment and hindering the investigation, according to the Kentucky State Police.
According to KSP, Tucker, 50, of Owensboro, has been charged with:
- Criminal Abuse, 1st Degree – Child under 12.
- Controlled Substance Endangerment to Child.
- Hindering Prosecution or Apprehension, 1st Degree
The investigation determined Taletha Tucker, who was given custody of Tesla Tucker’s children, violated a court order established by the Department of Community Based Services before the investigation was launched, according to KSP.
During this investigation, a hair follicle sample was taken from each child, the release says. Samples for two of the three children returned positive for methamphetamine and cannabis, according to KSP.
“It is believed Taletha Tucker permitted the children to stay with Tesla Tucker in Reynolds Station, which violated the order and came in contact with the substances,” the release says. “The investigation also determined Taletha Tucker provided a large sum of money to Tesla Tucker and Cage Rudd in an effort to avoid apprehension from law enforcement at the beginning of this investigation.”
On June 14, KSP confirmed an infant’s remains consistent with missing 8-month-old Miya Rudd were found at a residence in Reynolds Station.
Detectives are still awaiting the medical examiner’s report and DNA results, and no other information is available at this time. KSP is still actively investigating this case.
