Teen Abducted by Tad Cummins Recounts Twisted Advances by Ex-Teacher

The teenager taken by Tad Cummins on a wild cross-country run from the law last year is describing the fear she felt during the former teacher's twisted advances.

“I was scared," Elizabeth Thomas told ABC’s "20/20" in an interview airing Friday. "I don't want to tell my parents that a grown man kissed me. I don't want to tell friends that a grown man kissed me."

She added: “Whenever he first kissed me, that's when I realized it was getting too far.” 

Thomas said it wasn't long before the interactions between the Tennessee teen and the teacher took a creepy turn. 

“Next thing I know, he said, 'You'd look pretty nice naked,’” she claimed. 

She said no other students were in the classroom when he made the advances. 

Thomas was only 15 when her health science teacher took her on a 38-day journey across America last year, launching a manhunt that captivated the nation.

They were eventually found at a remote cabin in California and Thomas was returned to her family in Tennessee. 

She said he made his moves by grabbing her face in the classroom. She was stunned by the attention he was giving her.

“I was 15, being home schooled," she said. "I hadn't really had a boyfriend. I was like, 'Wow!'"

Cummins’ wife, Jill, told Inside Edition last year that she filed for divorce right after the kidnapping. 

“I will not let him hurt me like that again," she said. "I will not let him betray me like that again." 

Cummins is scheduled to be sentenced later this year. He faces at least 10 years in prison. 

RELATED STORIES