Other lyrics included: “You're the kind of woman a man can love for the rest of his life and I don't know why. Read: Teacher Researched Teen Marriage Online Before Kidnapping 15-Year-Old Student: Investigators 'We were in the music room right next to his classroom and I had learned a new song on the piano and I was going to show him, but he sat down first and played that song.' One day, Cummins arranged for them to be alone and sang her the creepy lyrics he had written, Parrish said. He was somebody I could go to and not have to worry. The lawyer said Thomas has been in touch with them, but wouldn’t elaborate on the conversation.'We used to be really, really close,' Parrish told Inside Edition. 'I could talk to him about just about anything. The statement said the family is “glad this chapter of the ordeal is over” but has “neither comment nor opinion about what should or should not happen to Tad Cummins and leave that up to the capable individuals involved in the judicial system.”Ī lawyer for Thomas’ family says they are elated the girl has been located safely. They are thankful that Elizabeth Thomas will soon be returned to her family where she can begin the healing process.”

Attorney Jack Smith said.Ĭummins’ estranged wife and two daughters released a statement Tuesday, saying they “appreciate the local and national media for keeping this story in the spotlight. If convicted of the federal charge, he faces at least 10 years in prison, acting U.S. How they got to Cecilville, California, and why they went there remains a mystery to investigators.Ĭummins faces state charges of aggravated kidnapping and sexual contact with a minor as well as the federal charges. Surveillance video from Walmart stores in Oklahoma City and Guymon captured video of the student and teacher. Hotel companies alerted authorities that the two had checked in to motels in Oklahoma City and Guymon, Oklahoma, but they were gone by the time police got the tips, the complaint says. Cummins’ wife has since filed for divorce. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released this photograph of Tad Cummins and Elizabeth Thomas taken at school in January, days before the school began investigating Cummins for alleged inappropriate contact.īut instead of going to the beach, police say he picked up the student in Columbia, Tennessee, in his wife’s silver Nissan Rogue on the morning of March 13, triggering the six-week police manhunt. The girl’s father has told news media he believes his daughter was brainwashed.īefore leaving with the girl, Cummins had been suspended from teaching and police were zeroing in on him, questioning his relationship with Thomas.Ĭummins was fired about a month after being suspended - a day after the TBI issued an Amber Alert about the teen.Īfter taking out a loan for $4,500, the records say, the teacher took the money and two handguns and wrote a note to his wife saying he needed to go to Virginia Beach or the D.C. “He needs to be held accountable for kidnapping this girl.”Ī federal criminal complaint charging Cummins with transporting a minor across state lines for sex says the two “are involved in a sexual relationship and traveled in interstate commerce to continue their relationship and to engage in unlawful sexual activity.”

“She’s a young girl that’s with a grown man,” Gwyn said. Thursday, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) director Mark Gwyn declined to address questions about whether Thomas went with Cummins willingly. He said she did not act like a rescued person. Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey said Thomas was alternately “laughing, crying and acting stoic.” He said Thomas did not exhibit any anger toward her former teacher and showed no sign of elation that authorities found them. “The two obviously have a relationship, and her response to us kind of escalated up and down.” Behr Tharsing, of the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, told reporters. “It was a very traumatic experience for her,” Sgt. Investigators said Thomas’ reaction was more emotional as she came out of the cabin during Cummins’ arrest. Surveillance images from an Oklahoma City Walmart March 15 show missing teen Elizabeth Thomas and the man suspected of abducting her, her teacher Tad Cummins, officials said.

She’s expected to be returned to Tennessee Friday and will undergo a forensic examination and receive any care that she may need, authorities said. The sheriff’s office said it found two loaded guns in the cabin with other belongings of the teacher and student.Ĭummins was taken into custody and Thomas went with FBI agents, the sheriff’s office said. Cummins was cooperative with law enforcement authorities at the scene, the sheriff’s office press release said. “The victim appeared to be in good health and Mr.

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