Tad Cummins is BANNED from teaching for life

Former teacher Tad Cummins will remain a former teacher, at the least in the state of Tennessee.

New York Daily News reports that the Tennessee State Board of Education took Cummins’ teaching license away indefinitely and refused any discussion on the matter. The license revocation comes three months after Cummins was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a 15-year-old student from Columbia, Tennessee, and driving her across state lines to Siskiyou County, California, ensuing a nationwide manhunt.

Attorneys for Cummins haven’t commented on the issue yet.

The ex Health Sciences teacher, who once taught at the Culleoka Unit high school, has remained behind bars since his arrest on April 20. The teen victim is with her family and said to be working through emotional trauma with expert mental health professionals.

Cummins trial was scheduled to start in July, but his attorneys successfully argued for an extension. His new trial date is scheduled for Jan. 2, 2018. It’s unclear if the teen victim will testify or even show up to the trial, but according to her father, Anthony Thomas, the family plans to be there to show support for her regardless. Thomas anticipates it will be a “difficult” time.

“It’s a highly emotional issue,” Thomas told PEOPLE earlier this month. “[Going to court] is going to be very difficult for everybody.”

Cummins faces federal charges of obstruction of justice and “transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activities.” For the federal charges alone, he could face life in prison.

Check back with Crime Online for additional details in the Tad Cummins case.

[Feature Photo: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation]