UPDATE: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is showing video of Tad Cummins, the man believed to be in the company of AMBER Alert subject Mary Catherine Elizabeth Thomas.
The video shows Cummins filling up his vehicle at a gas station near a Shoney's in Columbia, Tennessee. Police believe he picked up Thomas shortly thereafter.
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A 15-year-old girl who is the subject of an AMBER Alert in Tennessee is believed to be traveling with a teacher charged with having inappropriate contact with her, authorities said.
On Wednesday, 22nd District Attorney General Brent Cooper confirmed that Tad Cummins, 50, had a warrant for sexual contact with a minor. Cummins is believed to be traveling with Elizabeth Thomas, 15.
Thomas was a student at a school where Cummins taught in Columbia, Tenn., authorities said. The alleged sexual interaction Cummins is wanted for took place at the school. Cummins was suspended after the alleged incident and was fired Tuesday, authorities said.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Cummins took out a $4,500 title loan for a vehicle several days before he and Thomas disappeared.
Thomas was last seen around 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Shoney's in Columbia, when a friend dropped her off there. Her parents reported her missing later that day.
TBI said the last known location of Thomas was just after 3 p.m. in Decatur, Ala. They said neither her nor Cummins had any other connection to the area.
Authorities said they are still investigating leads and tips but have not been able to locate the pair. The AMBER Alert was issued Tuesday evening.
Thomas is 5'5" and 120 pounds with blond hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing black leggings and a flannel shirt.
Cummins is 6 feet tall and 200 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He is believed to be armed with two handguns. The two may be traveling in a silver Nissan Rogue with Tennessee tag 976-ZPT.
Anyone with information about the two is asked to contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND or, if you see them, call 911.
