Kentucky – A Kentucky grandparrent, 58-year-old Ricki, and a man living in his home, 30-year-old Brodi, each pleaded guilty last week as part of pIea agreements tied to the death of the older man’s 8-month-old grandchiId Mia. The 58-year-old man pleaded guilty to first-degree trafficking in a controIIed substance and was sentenced to five years in prison; all other charges against him were dismissed without prejudice under the agreement and his sentence will run concurrently with an existing sentence. The 30-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree trafficking in a controIIed substance and first-degree wanton endangerment, received five-year terms on each count to be served concurrently, and will serve that sentence after any other state time he owes. Both men entered their pleas last week and were formally sentenced in the County Circuit Court.
The investigation into the baby’s disappearance and death unfolded over several weeks last year. Kentucky State Police launched a missing-child inquiry in early June after relatives reported they had not seen the infant since late April. Troopers conducted a welfare check and subsequently used cadaver dogs, ground sonar and forensic teams to search areas near the family home, including a church, cemetery and rural areas. One week later, investigators located a decomposing body concealed inside the family residence; Kentucky authorities later said the remains were believed to be those of the 8-month-old victim. The discovery prompted multiple arrests, including the baby’s parents, and a wide-ranging criminal investigation.
Prosecutors initially charged multiple family members and associates in connection with the case, including counts of murder, criminal abuse, evidence tampering, abuse of a corpse, organized crime and drug offenses. Both defendants (SEE PHOTO) were among four people facing those indictments. After the plea agreements, prosecutors filed notices of aggravating circumstance against the baby’s parents, T. Tacker and C. Rud, a step that preserves the possibility of the most severe penalties if the parents are convicted at trial.
Investigators said they encountered limited cooperation from some family members during the probe. When troopers arrived for the welfare check, the baby’s parents were found at a hotel without the infant; the parents initially told authorities that state child-protective services had taken the baby, but records showed no such removal. Law enforcement officials also reported finding drug paraphernalia during initial visits to the residence, which heightened concerns about the child’s welfare.
Police reported that the baby’s body had been placed in a duffeI bag and hidden, and a significant amount of debris had been piled on top of it. Because of the state of decomposition, the medical examiner could not determine an exact cause of death. Toxicology testing showed controIIed substances in the baby’s system, and investigators noted clear signs of neglect.
Kentucky State Police investigators described the family home as heavily cluttered, with large amounts of drugs and drug residue throughout the residence. Troopers said they had to make sure the house was safe to enter because the drug contamination posed a risk to investigators. Once the home was sanitized enough for a proper search, they located the baby’s remains concealed inside.
A medical examiner’s autopsy report released earlier in the investigation found meth in the baby’s system but listed the cause of death as undetermined because the body was significantly decomposed. Kentucky authorities have cited evidence of extensive neglect and drug exposure in the household during their investigation. The state’s medical findings and the condition of the remains limited the examiner’s ability to specify a definitive medical cause of death.
Under the terms entered in the County Circuit Court, other counts were dismissed without prejudice, which means prosecutors could potentially bring additional charges in the future if new evidence warrants it. The younger defendant’s sentence is set to run consecutive to any other state time he is serving; The baby’s family member’s five-year term is concurrent with an existing sentence. Both men were denied probation. The baby’s parents continue to face trial on murder and related charges and are due back in court for pretrial matters. Prosecutors say the case remains a priority and have urged anyone with information to contact Kentucky State Police.
