Ambert alert

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Thursday continued to seek leads on the whereabouts of a 15-year-old girl missing from Maury County.

A press release said the agency remained “extremely concerned” for the well-being of Elizabeth Thomas, who is believed to be with Tad Cummins, a 50-year-old former teacher.

Thomas was last seen at about 8 a.m. Monday at the Shoney’s in Columbia, Tennessee, after being dropped off there by a friend. Her parents reported her as missing later that same day.

Cummins and Thomas were reportedly spotted in Decatur shortly after 3 p.m. Monday afternoon.

The agency said investigative efforts have revealed a “troubling pattern of behavior” from Cummins. Investigators believe he may have been abusing his role as a teacher to groom Thomas “in an effort to lure and potentially sexually exploit her,” said a release from the agency.

District Attorney General Brent Cooper on Wednesday said there was “an alleged interaction” between Cummins and Thomas at the school where he taught and where she was a student. The school system suspended Cummins when the allegations surfaced and terminated his employment Tuesday.

A warrant has been issued for Cummins for sexual contact with a minor.

Since issuing an AMBER Alert at 6 p.m. Tuesday, the TBI has received approximately 120 leads. The agency said none of the leads has produced any credible sightings about the whereabouts of either individual.

“Because of the shockingly low number of tips, the TBI has concluded the individuals are likely out of the view of the general public or outside the original net cast across the southeast to notify the public about their disappearance,” the release said. “Having last been seen on Monday morning, the individuals could, frankly, be anywhere.”

In the days leading up to the couple’s disappearance, TBA agents learned Cummins secured a title loan for a personal vehicle and other personal items, netting $4,500 in cash.

“To that end, the TBI would like to hear from anyone who may have had an interaction with either individual prior to their disappearance,” the release said.

Thomas is a 15-year-old white female, with blonde hair, hazel eyes, stands 5-feet-5-inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and black leggings.

Cummins is a white male, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds. He has brown hair and eyes.

They are believed to be traveling in a silver Nissan Rogue with Tennessee tag 976-ZPT. Investigators believe Cummins is armed with two handguns.

Anyone with a tip or information is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND. If you spot the vehicle and can verify the license plate, call 911.