In this April 20, 2017 photo released by the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office is Tad Cummins. A 15-year-old Tennessee student who was allegedly kidnapped by her teacher and taken to California is back home, a lawyer for the girl's family said Friday, April 21, 2017. The girl is being evaluated and treated by mental health experts specializing in trauma, lawyer Jason Whatley said in a press release. Authorities credit the caretaker of a remote northern California property for helping police find her and arrest her alleged abductor, fired teacher Tad Cummins. (Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office via AP)A teenage girl and her father have filed a lawsuit against the Maury County Board of Education and former Columbia, Tenn., teacher Tad Cummins, who is facing kidnapping charges after he fled the state last year with the student, sparking a 39-day nationwide manhunt.
Cummins, 51, has been charged with transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual conduct and obstruction of justice. He pleaded not guilty and is due back in court today, when his attorney Brent Horst will ask to drop out of the case.
The federal lawsuit, filed Friday, seeks damages from both Cummins and the school district.
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