Former Teacher Tad Cummins, Elizabeth Thomas Found in Calif.
The former teacher and the teen had been on the run for more than a month.
Tad Cummins was arrested without incident and reportedly stated "I'm glad this is over" to the arresting officer. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation)
The former Tennessee teacher police say abducted a former student was discovered in northern California Thursday.
Tad Cummins was arrested after more than a month on the run with 15-year-old Elizabeth Thomas, who was found safe with Cummins in a cabin in Cecilville, Calif.
The man who tipped police off said he rented Cummins the cabin, reports people.com.
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Cummins was arrested without incident and said “I’m glad this is over” as he was taken into custody, according to Siskiyou County sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Gilley.
Campus Safety had reported on the alleged abduction and subsequent manhunt, which began when Cummins and Thomas disappeared March 13.
An Amber Alert was immediately issued and police received hundreds of tips within the first week. Police believed Thomas was in danger and placed Cummins on Tennessee’s most wanted list.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations initially said the two had been found on a commune, but later said they were discovered in a cabin.
Maury County Public Schools, where Cummins taught and Thomas attended, released the following statement:
The news of Elizabeth Thomas’ safe return is wonderful news for our community, and now, we can begin healing as a community, school district and as families touched by the AMBER alert.
Thanks go to all who have kept the message of finding Elizabeth Thomas and working on her safe return as top-of-mind throughout the nation. The efforts of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Maury County Sheriff’s office, nationwide law enforcement community and media outlets promoting awareness of this case have brought us to this safe conclusion, and Maury County Public Schools wants to thank these many professionals for the good news today.
We continue our efforts here with the policy-review task force whose members are focused on developing consistent procedures to assist each school when faced with allegations and investigations. Again, Maury County Public Schools is grateful to everyone who worked tirelessly to bring Elizabeth Thomas home safely. The TBI will be holding a press conference at 3 p.m. CST.
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