Complaint Lays Out Planning of Alleged Kidnapping

Elizabeth Thomas' father says he believes his 15-year-old daughter was brainwashed by Tad Cummins, the former teacher accused of kidnapping her, the Tennessean reports. Cummins and Elizabeth were found this week at a cabin in northern California, weeks after they disappeared from Tennessee. While Anthony Thomas says he hasn't had a chance to speak to his daughter yet—he hopes to soon—he says she is going to need therapy to recover from the ordeal. It remains unclear whether Elizabeth went with Cummins willingly, according to the New York Daily News.

Meanwhile, authorities say Cummins' actions prior to going on the lam show he was planning on kidnapping Elizabeth, apparently for sexual purposes. According to a federal complaint, Cummins, 50, refilled his prescription for erectile dysfunction medication and made reservations for one-bed rooms at multiple Super 8 motels prior to kidnapping Elizabeth. CNN reports Cummins told his wife he needed to borrow her car for a (nonexistent) job interview and took out a $4,500 loan "to meet their financial needs." Cummins had been suspended from his teaching job for conduct with Elizabeth. The federal complaint also states Cummins bought chocolates and sexual lubricant at Walmart while on the run with Elizabeth. (More Elizabeth Thomas stories.)