School documents show relationship between missing Tennessee teen, teacher
COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN) – WISH sister station WKRN News 2 has obtained the report from the Maury County School Administration’s investigation into the relationship between 15-year-old Elizabeth Thomas and her 50-year-old teacher Tad Cummins.
Click here to read the full report
The high school freshman was in Cummins’ Forensics class at Culleoka Unit School.
On Jan. 23, a student says she walked into Cummins’ classroom to grab her backpack and saw Cummins and Thomas kiss on the lips. The student described it as a “peck.”
The following day, the student confronted Cummins, who said he saw Thomas as his “best friend.” The student filed a report with school administration.
Thomas and Cummins were interviewed by school officials. They both denied the incident ever took place, but admitted to a friendly relationship.
Concern Grows for Tennessee Girl, 15, Who Vanished With Teacher, 50
However, the teen was removed from Cummins’ class, and they were told to stay away from each other.
On Feb. 3, Thomas was seen in Cummins’ classroom so he was suspended. But Thomas’ father, Anthony, says he didn’t hear about the incident from the school.
On Jan. 31, he was contacted by a Maury County Sheriff’s detective who was investigating the incident, which had happened the week prior.
Anthony Thomas hired attorney Jason Whatley, who wrote a letter to the school admonishing them for “brushing” him aside.
In the letter, Whatley says when Mr. Thomas searched Elizabeth’s phone, he found she had been communicating with Cummins. The letter sent Feb. 6 from Whatley to the school also says, “I cannot overemphasize to you the concern we have here.”
Elizabeth Thomas disappeared with the teacher on March 13.
On Sunday night, the Maury County Sheriff told WKRN there’s evidence that Cummins had been making plans to “live off the grid.”
Even more troubling is that neither Thomas nor Cummins have used their debit or credit cards.
Thomas was last seen at the Shoney’s in Columbia when a friend dropped her off. Cummins was spotted next door at a gas station filling up his 2015 silver Nissan Rogue.
A statewide Amber Alert has been issued for Thomas. So far, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has received 250 tips from 24 states. The story has also gained national attention, with coverage from ABC News and others.
Anyone who sees the pair is urged to call 911.
The license plate number for Cummins’ car is 976ZPT, but law enforcement officials believe the vehicle may have been abandoned at this point.
WKRN also learned that Thomas’ mother, Kimberly Thomas, hasn’t had contact with her five minor children in over a year. There are 10 children in all, but five of the children are adults.
In January of 2016, Mrs. Thomas was charged with four counts of child abuse and neglect. A family friend we spoke to denied the allegations tied to the charges were true.Join the discussion on Facebook: