Title: Disturbing True Story of Teen’s Abduction by Teacher Unveiled in New Crime-Drama
A new crime-drama called Abducted By My Teacher is set to air on Lifestyle, shining a spotlight on the terrifying true story of a 15-year-old girl who endured more than a month on the run with her teacher-turned-abuser. The series follows the harrowing details of the case that triggered a nationwide manhunt in 2017.
The narrative revolves around Tad Cummins, played by Michael Fishman, who groomed his student Elizabeth Thomas, portrayed by Summer Howell, and manipulated her into escaping with him. During their 38 days on the run, Thomas was subjected to daily sexual abuse.
The disturbing chain of events began when Cummins met the teenage girl at Culleoka Unit School in Maury County, Tennessee. Elizabeth, who had previously been homeschooled, found solace in Cummins and his wife after her own mother faced charges of child abuse and neglect involving Elizabeth and her sister Sarah.
Despite initially being welcomed into the Cummins’ home as an extended family member, Elizabeth soon realized that her relationship with her married mentor was becoming inappropriate. Cummins made suggestive remarks, and the pair eventually began exchanging sexually explicit messages on Instagram.
Over time, their relationship evolved, and Cummins made advances towards Elizabeth. The teenager, fearing his anger and unwanted attention, remained silent about the illicit relationship.
However, everything changed when another student witnessed Cummins kissing Elizabeth, leading to his suspension from the school. During his suspension, Cummins coerced the young girl into communicating with him regularly via phone calls and text messages.
Eventually, Cummins gave Elizabeth an ultimatum: she had to run away with him. Fearing the consequences of defying him, she complied. Cummins destroyed both of their phones to avoid being traced and took Elizabeth to a remote cabin in California.
During their time on the run, the pair changed Elizabeth’s appearance by purchasing hair dye from Walmart. They also bought various items, including cheese cubes, K-Y jelly, women’s razors, and chocolate. Cummins even bought a kayak and an iPad to monitor media coverage of their case.
Their presence at the cabin was discovered by a vigilant neighbor who noticed Cummins driving without a license plate and recognized Elizabeth’s youthful appearance. This led to Cummins’ arrest on April 20, 2017.
Following the arrest, Cummins penned a letter from behind bars, taking full responsibility for his actions but adding that he believed the devil played a significant role. Subsequently, he pleaded guilty to obstructing justice and taking a minor across state lines for sex, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence.
During her victim impact statement, Elizabeth confronted Cummins in court, expressing her deep emotional scars and highlighting his manipulation and abuse. She married Skylar Dirla, whom she fell in love with while working at a seafood restaurant in Columbia, Tennessee, where they both resided.
Abducted by My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story will premiere on August 12, offering a chilling portrayal of a vulnerable young girl’s ordeal at the hands of a trusted mentor-turned-abuser. This true story sends a powerful message regarding the importance of vigilance and protection for our children.
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