Proposed “Baby Miya’s Law” sees local support

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - A tragic loss could spark change in Kentucky when it comes to keeping children safe.

Baby Miya’s Law is proposed state legislation aimed at ensuring the safety of newborns in potentially hazardous home environments.

The proposal stems from a tragic event that occurred in Ohio County in 2024 when the remains of 8-month-old Miya Rudd were found hidden in the walls of her parent’s home.

The family already had three children taken from them by the Kentucky Child Protection Branch prior to Miya’s death, but at the time no law existed to trigger a newborn’s removal if the family has a history of abuse.

Baby Miya’s Law aims to change that in Kentucky.

For some agencies such as Potter Children’s Home, finding a balance between children’s safety and parents' rights is critical.

“It’s quite a challenge I think at times to sort of hit the proper balance between protecting children from harm,” ,” Executive Director Ralph Brewer said. “They need to be protected, they’re defenseless, and at the same time protecting the constitutional rights and other rights of parents. It seems to me that this law has some reasonable safeguards about that.”

If passed, Baby Miya’s Law would require anyone to report information to local law enforcement or Kentucky State Police if they are aware of a child being born to parents who have children in state custody.

Individuals would also be required to make a report if they have knowledge that a home is involved in ongoing dependency, abuse or neglect cases.

“It seems to me like the law has a pretty good balance. Nobody wants kids to be mistreated and abused. Children die from that,” Brewer said.

If Baby Miya’s Law passes, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services will be required to investigate and assess children’s safety and wellbeing if there’s a history in the family.

“It would be my hope that most kids, whether they’re at home with their parents or whether they’re in some sort of foster care placement or something like that, it would be my hope that those kids are well protected anyway but the reality of it is they ‘re not,” Brewer said. “If this law helps even a handful of kids, which I think it probably will, then that’s a good thing.”

Baby Miya’s Law has passed the Kentucky House Standing Committee on Families and Children 12-1 and is awaiting a vote in the full House.