Nancy Grace spoke with Tennessee District Attorney General, Brent Cooper, on Thursday on her Crime Stories podcast, and he revealed more information about the missing Maury County teen and her former teacher, who likely abducted her. The prosecutor offered new clues that suggest the teen did not leave voluntarily.
Tad Cummins, 50, and his former student, Elizabeth Thomas, 15, were last seen on March 13 at a Shoney’s restaurant in Columbia, Tennessee. According to Cooper, at least from his understanding, the teen brought two bags with her to the restaurant, yet left one of the bags behind. What this means is anyone’s guess at this point, but Cooper surmised that it could mean she possibly changed her mind about leaving.
“She may have been on the fence about going with Mr. Cummins…..My biggest fear is that she had changed her mind about going with Mr. Cummins and that she expressed that to him and he took her then forcefully.”
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Another alarming factor is what Elizabeth told her older sister just hours before disappearing.
“She told her 17-year-old sister earlier that morning that ‘if I’m not back by six o’clock tonight, call the police or come looking for me,’” Cooper said.
Earlier today, someone thought they spotted Cummins and Elizabeth in Corpus Christi, Texas, but according to Cooper, there’s been no update that anyone was found. As soon a police arrived to North Beach, they were no longer there.
Authorities believe that Elizabeth could be in “imminent danger.” Cummins reportedly took two handguns with him before fleeing Tennessee. Time is crucial in finding the teen. Cummins is accused of being a habitual liar, even telling his students that he was a part of the FBI and the CIA. He also reportedly told his wife he was going to a non-existent job interview on the day he fled.
Anyone with any information is urged to call 911, or the Maury County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office at (931) 375-8654, or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
[Feature Photo: TBI]
