In a tragic case that has gripped western Kentucky, two men have received their sentences in connection to the death of an infant whose body was discovered in a decomposing state inside a duffel bag.

The heartbreaking story involves Miya Rudd, an 8-month-old baby declared missing on June 6, 2024. Just a week after the initial alert, her lifeless and decomposed body was located inside her family’s residence in Reynolds Station, Kentucky, a small community situated about 90 miles southwest of Louisville.

Authorities revealed that Miya’s remains had been placed in a duffel bag and “hidden in a concealed manner,” indicating an attempt to cover up the tragic incident. The charges brought forth suggest a conspiracy among those residing in the rural home to both commit and conceal the crime.

The Kentucky State Police, through various updates, identified five individuals who faced charges in connection with the case: Ricky Smith, 58; Brodie Payne, 30; Tesla Tucker, 29; Cage Rudd, 30; and Taletha Tucker, 50, who was arrested in November 2024.

Miya’s familial ties included her grandfather Ricky Smith, her parents Tesla Tucker and Cage Rudd, and her grandmother Taletha Tucker. The role of Brodie Payne remains unclear, though it was noted that he had been living at the Rudd residence for about six months before being taken into custody.

The alleged presence of drugs in the individuals’ lives has been a key component of the case. Every one of them, except for Taletha Tucker, was charged with drug trafficking, and meth was reportedly the controlled substance at the heart of it all.

Last week, Smith and Payne accepted plea agreements to have certain charges against them, including murder, dismissed. In exchange, Smith and Payne pleaded guilty to trafficking a controlled substance, and Payne also pleaded guilty to wanton endangerment, local NBC affiliate WFIE reported. As a result of their pleas, Smith and Payne were each sentenced to five years in prison.

Prosecutors have also reportedly filed notices of aggravating circumstances against Tesla Tucker and Cage Rudd, opening up the possibility that the jury could recommend the death penalty for the two of them if they are found guilty of murder.

Meth was found in Miya’s system when investigators found her body, according to The Owensboro Times, and there was extensive evidence of neglect. Her body was reportedly in such a state of decomposition that an autopsy could not explicitly state what killed her.

Kentucky State Police Public Information Officer Trooper Corey King told the newspaper that the Rudd family home was “cluttered” inside and out. He added that there were so many drugs and drug residue inside the house that they had to ensure it was safe before conducting a more thorough search.

“It was a danger for anyone in there,” King said. “So they had to make sure that this house was sanitized to the point it wasn’t going to harm us or any of our investigators overdose while searching this house.”

Miya’s body was ultimately found with a “substantial amount of debris” on top of her, the officer continued.