MAURY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) – The wife of Tad Cummins, a former Maury County teacher believed to have taken a 15-year-old girl, pleaded for him to “do the right thing.”
She spoke at a press conference Friday afternoon with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as an AMBER Alert remains in effect for Elizabeth Thomas.
“My heart breaks for the family of Beth Thomas,” the wife said. “I want her home just as much as the rest of you, but I’m also very worried about Tad.”
Thomas, 15, vanished Monday after a friend dropped her off at the Columbia Shoney’s restaurant between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m.
Authorities believe she is with Cummins, who has now been charged with aggravated kidnapping in the case. He already faced one count of sexual contact with a minor.
His wife spoke directly to her husband, saying, “Tad, this is not you. This is not who you are. We can help you get through this, no matter how far you’ve gone or what’s happening right now, God’s grace is efficient through you, and he wants you to come home. Your family wants their poppy back. Please do the right thing and turn yourself in to the police and bring Beth home.”
Elizabeth Thomas (Courtesy: TBI)
Elizabeth Thomas is a 15-year-old white female with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and black leggings.
Tad Cummins is a 50-year-old white male who is 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds. He has brown hair and eyes.
He is believed to be armed with two handguns and driving a silver Nissan Rogue with Tennessee tag 976-ZPT.
The TBI would urge the public to remain vigilant and report any information that may prove beneficial in the ongoing search to 1-800-TBI-FIND. If you spot the vehicle and can verify the license plate to be TN 976-ZPT, call 911.