An Amber Alert has been called for 15 year old Elizabeth Thomas, who is believed to have been taken by a former Maury County Schools teacher, 50 year old Tad Cummins.

UPDATE: According to the TBI, Elizabeth Thomas, the teen at the center of an Amber Alert that has drawn nationwide attention, was found safe in Northern California on Thursday, April 20, 2017.  Her alleged abductor, Tad Cummins has been arrested, and faces a number of charges including sexual contact with a minor and aggravated kidnapping.  Thank you to everyone who helped share about her disappearance. 

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: COLUMBIA & DECATUR —  An Amber Alert has been issued in Tennessee and Alabama and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is asking for the public’s assistance in locating missing 15 year old Elizabeth Thomas out of the Columbia, Tennessee area.

Elizabeth was last seen the morning of March 13, 2017 at the Shoney’s in Columbia, Tennessee after she was dropped off by a friend.  The man who is believed to be with her, 50 year old Tad Cummins is also on camera getting fuel  and authorities believe he went to the gas station before Thomas went missing.   She was reported missing later that same day. Investigators said they can place Elizabeth in Decatur, Alabama around 3 pm Monday afternoon, though neither individual has a known connection to that area.  Mr. Cummins is believed to be armed with two handguns and is driving a silver Nissan Rogue with Tennessee tag 976-ZPT.

Elizabeth was last seen wearing a tan flannel shirt, black leggings and converse shoes.

The TBI would like to hear from anyone who may have had an interaction with either individual prior to their disappearance, as well as any other information from after her disappearance.

Elizabeth is described as:

• Gender: Female.
• Ethnicity: Caucasian.
• Hair: Blonde.
• Eyes: Hazel.
• Height: 5 feet 5 inches
• Weight: 120 pounds.

Tad is described as:

• Gender: Male.
• Ethnicity: Caucasian.
• Hair: Brown.
• Eyes: Brown.
• Height: 6 feet even.
• Weight: 200 pounds.

Do you know something?

If you have any information in regards to Elizabeth’s whereabouts, you are being asked to contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND immediately.

Want to stay anonymous?

If you wish to remain anonymous with your information, you are welcome to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or submit your tip online at http://www.crimestoppersusa.org/tip-map/tennessee/.

— VIEW THE INITIAL POLICE RELEASE HERE. —

Thank you for all of your efforts in helping us spread the word about missing people like Elizabeth across Tennessee. We ask that you please take a moment to share these reports on all social media platforms in order to reach the broadest local audience as possible.

We do our best to inform the general public about missing people across America. View all of our state-based websites by taking a look at our country map just below.

PLEASE DO YOUR PART IN HELPING US BY SHARING THIS REPORT. THANK YOU.