I'm Elizabeth Smart, and I'm
proud to be an Executive
Producer on the movie
you're about to watch,
about the grooming and
abduction of Elizabeth Thomas.
It's important to share
Elizabeth's story with honesty,
so that we can better understand
the trauma that survivors
endure, and respond
with kindness,
understanding and compassion.
Beth.
Oh, you scared me.
Everything okay?
Yeah, yeah, everything is fine.
I love you, kiddo.
See you.
Hey, Dawn?
What?
If I'm not home by 9
tonight, call the police.
Yup, yup.
Sorry, I'm sorry.
It says here you've never been
enrolled in school before, ever.
Yeah, my mother home
schooled me and my sisters.
Hmm.
And my older brother,
but he's done school now.
And you live with
your father now?
He's got custody of us.
My brother, Ben, usually
comes by to check in.
He works quite a bit.
And it says here you have two
sisters, one older, one younger.
Yeah.
My sister Dawn is
technically older,
but she doesn't
really act like it.
My dad usually leaves me in
charge when he's not around.
Is he, um, not around a lot?
Only when he's working.
Seems like a pretty
unique situation to me.
What is that supposed to mean?
Nothing.
I'm just trying to figure out
how you're gonna fit in here.
Okay, if you have any
problems with your classes,
you just come to me, okay.
Watch it,
trailer trash.
I live in a house.
'I live in a house!'
Hello.
Give it back!
Okay, guys, guys, do you
know when dad will be home?
He took an extra shift.
Give it back.
Guess I'll get
started on dinner.
Perfect.
Is it on?
What?
Is it on?!
No.
Make it quick, Beth.
I'm out the door.
Beth: Kitchen
light is out again.
Did you try the fuse?
Yes, I tried it.
Can you just come by?
Can't, they changed
my shifts again.
Beth: That's fine, I'll just
cook dinner in the dark.
Look, I'm sorry, I'll
try to come by tomorrow,
but I got to go.
Ouch! Damn it!
You seen my keys?
No, why?
Where are you going?
Won't be back until late.
Can you feel Lily?
Yeah.
What do I tell dad though?
Won't be that late.
Huh.
Tad: Come on in,
everybody get a seat.
Tim.
What's up?
Good to see you.
Good to see you.
Fellows, come on,
let's get in here.
Settle down.
Okay, before we get started,
I have a notice here
that says we have a new
student in the class.
There she is.
Please welcome Elizabeth Thomas
to third period Health Sciences.
Another ginger.
Are you a Beth or Liz?
Beth.
Okay, I'm Mr. Cummins, but
my friends call me Tad,
right friends?
Come on, come on.
All right, so in health today,
I'm gonna teach you each
how to peel a banana.
All right, I know, it's
the best I could do.
Actually, my job is to teach
you how to prevent STDs.
So, today you will be
learning the proper way
to put on a condom.
Stop, Tim, I know, I know, no
jokes about the banana, okay.
Let me guess, cafeteria is a
little intimidating for a girl
who's never been in
school before yesterday.
There's a lot of students here.
Yeah, can be hard at first.
You know, when everybody's
known each other for years.
It's not any easier
for teachers.
When I first started here,
it took me two weeks to find
somebody to sit with in
the teacher's lounge.
Really?
Yeah, and even then, it
was the math teachers.
Even teachers have a cool table.
I wasn't at it.
Come on, let's go find
you somebody to eat with.
Um, okay.
All right, welcome
to the cafeteria.
Okay, look, let's find
you somebody and
make you comfortable.
It's not as intimidating
as it seems.
Okay, try, okay, try them, okay.
They eat lunch in my
classroom sometimes.
It's a really good
group of kids, so.
Go on, give it a shot.
Just don't embarrass me, okay.
Hi. Do you mind
if I sit here?
Fine by me.
Thanks.
So, you're the new girl, hmm?
Yeah.
I'm Tim, that's Brandy
and that's Rachel.
Hi.
Hi.
So, is it true
that you've, like,
literally never stepped foot in
any kind of school whatsoever?
Like, what are you
guys, like survivalists?
Rachel!
No, we're not survivalists.
Damn it!
Huh.
Bus waits for no one.
You're not early, you're late,
remember that for tomorrow.
Yeah.
Guess I'm walking then.
There's nobody you can
call to pick you up?
My dad's working, and my sister
can't pass driver's tests.
It's not a big deal.
It's just a couple of miles.
Why don't I give you a lift?
It's no trouble.
Right over there.
Um, no, that's, that's
okay, I can walk.
I don't mind really,
okay, but just this once.
After that, you're on
your own going forward.
Come on.
Okay.
You want to see something?
All right.
Do you believe
I'm a grandfather?
Pretty cute, huh.
Yeah, they are.
Ouch, what happened
to your thumb?
Oh, I just cut it
chopping vegetables
for dinner last night.
Has anybody taken
a look at that?
Oh.
Hold on.
I was in Special Forces.
It's the first thing they teach
us how to triage a wound.
Let me see.
Oh, well, it's
just a little cut.
I mean it happens
all the time, so.
Yeah.
I guess with your mom
out of the picture,
you probably end up making
dinner for your sisters a lot,
huh?
Um, how did you,
who told you that?
The school kind of briefed
all of us teachers
about your situation at home.
It's not that big a deal.
They just wanted
us to understand
why you haven't
really been at school.
Yeah.
There.
Hmm.
It's good.
It's not infected, so.
You know, just change the
band-aid every couple of days.
It'll be good in about a week.
Okay, thank you.
Mm-hmm.
Really.
Yeah.
Okay, homeward bound.
Let me know where
I'm going, okay?
Okay, a left here.
Well, thank you,
Mr. Cummins.
Who's Mr. Cummins?
Um, Tad, sorry.
See you tomorrow.
Looking forward to it, Beth.
Yo, Beth!
Yo.
Oh, there you are.
Come on, we're eating
lunch in Tad's classroom.
Told me not to leave you behind.
Go.
Let's go.
Okay.
Come on.
Uh, figured this
be more your speed.
Your haven from the
chaos of the cafeteria.
Just do it.
You guys have a charger?
I'm at 10%.
Not a fan of sandwiches?
No, it's just the bread.
My dad forgot to use the gluten
free kind, and I'm allergic.
Here, we can fix that.
Do a little wheeling
and dealing.
See.
Gluten-free.
It's also flavour free in case
you're allergic to that, too.
Um, are you sure?
I mean it's a lot
better than mine.
My wife's trying to get me to
cut down on carbs, and I really,
really love bread, so
you'd be doing me a favor.
Here.
There, everybody wins.
It's what they call a
symbiotic relationship.
Dawn: Beth, when are you
going to make dinner?!
So, I passed my first math test.
Hmm, good job, Beth.
Who are you texting?
Uh, no one, just a new friend.
Is it a boy?
Better not bring any
boys around here.
I'm not!
Tad: Well, she had a lunch
she couldn't even eat.
Do you believe that?
Single parent family
with all those girls.
You remember, we had our
hands full with two of them,
imagine three.
I just feel bad
for the kid, Con.
I mean there's nobody
looking out for her.
I was thinking, maybe we could
take her to church with us.
Well, I don't know about that.
What would her father think?
I think he'd be grateful we're
looking out for his daughter.
She's got to find her footing.
Maybe God can help.
Maybe we can help.
What do you think?
I think you miss being a dad.
You've got a big
heart, Mr. Cummins.
That's what I love about you.
Okay, that bell means you're
in the wrong classroom.
Come on, everybody,
let's go, let's get.
Good, permission slip.
Yeah.
Permission slip.
I saw that earlier.
Yeah.
Beth, why don't you
hang back for a second?
Hey, I need that from you, too.
Tomorrow.
My wife Connie and I would like
to invite you to go to church
with us this Sunday.
If it's okay with your
father, of course.
Um, well, yeah, I,
I mean its church,
he'll probably be fine with it.
Yeah, I think you'll
get a lot out of it.
I'll pick you up at nine a.m.,
and wear something nice.
God loves everybody, but
Pastor Sally hates jeans.
Okay.
All right, now don't be late.
Here we go.
Oh, sh**t, I forgot something.
I'll, I'll catch up.
We're very glad you could come.
Oh, yeah, me, too.
Thanks.
Thought you might like this.
This for me?
Mm-hmm.
Oh, wow, thank you, and
it's very kind of you.
Yeah, now you can follow along.
Good morning, good morning.
Connie, lovely to see you.
Lovely to see you.
Hello Tad.
Good morning, everyone.
So, what do you think?
♪♪♪ Amazing Grace how
sweet the sound ♪
♪ That saved a wretch like me
♪ I once was lost,
but now I'm found ♪
Your dress is very
nice, very church-y.
♪ Was blind but now I see
Look so much more relaxed
outside school, it's good.
Oh, it's so nice here,
and I love the choir,
they sound incredible.
♪ 'Twas grace that taught
my heart to fear ♪
Kind of jealous.
Do you sing?
No, not in front
of people.
♪ And grace my fears relieved
♪ How... ♪
Lil.
What happened?
This stupid girl at school, she
was saying things about mom,
about how we had
to call DCS on her.
Kind of a lame thing to
make fun of someone for.
It was the same old stuff,
calling us White Tr*sh.
People just really suck.
Yeah, they do.
And, like, these people
don't know anything about us,
or what we've been through,
they just make up their
mind based on gossip.
What did your dad
say about the fight?
Well, he got home after we all
went to bed, and by the morning,
I just didn't want to tell him.
I didn't want him
to get mad at Lily.
So, I just had her put ice on
the bruise and told her some
stuff she could say to that
girl if she ever tried
to bother her again.
You don't think I should
have told someone, do you?
No. I think you
handled it great, Beth.
But honestly, I'm really
impressed by how mature you are.
Sometimes I have to remind
myself you're only 15.
Yeah, right.
No, look how well you've
adjusted to school.
You're an incredible
young woman, and...
What?
Nothing, I shouldn't.
Come on, tell me.
It's just I bet you
look really good naked.
Go on, you don't want to be
late to your next class.
Hey, um, you okay?
You look like a, like a
semi-close relative just died.
I'm fine, just a little tired.
Um, can I ask you something?
So, how long have you been
eating lunch in Tad's room?
Uh, awhile now.
We did it last year, too.
It's just easier than
the cafeteria, you know.
No pressure to find a big
enough table and all that.
Um, has he ever gotten, like,
really personal with you?
He probably just
feels bad for you.
What do you mean by that?
Well, I mean all the
stuff with your family
and how you don't really
have any friends.
Nice talking to you, Rachel.
Now, there's a lot
of sperm at the start,
as many as 150 million
of the little suckers,
but obviously only one
is gonna go the distance.
So, a few hundred of them will
actually make it to the egg,
and that'll all happen
in about a half an hour,
but there's only
gonna be one winner.
One is gonna reach
and start to fuse
with the egg's plasma membrane.
That's gonna prompt the egg
to start producing a protein
to tell all the other
sperm to get out.
Have you thought
about what I said?
Elizabeth, is everything okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
All right, so as you can see...
Elizabeth.
Hey, earth to
Elizabeth.
Oh, hey.
Coming to lunch?
Yeah, um, cafeteria
or Tad's classroom?
Tad's. What's up?
Nothing, let's go.
Come on.
Okay, wait, wait, wait, so
when you were in the Special
Forces, do you, like,
actually k*ll people?
You know I can't tell you that.
I mean most of our missions
are classified by the CIA.
But between us...
...oh, look at that,
it's time to go.
Come on, Tad, you can just leave
it at that, you got to tell us.
I'm sorry, fellas, you think
I'm gonna talk that easy.
Come on, let's go.
Here we go, everybody.
See you later.
Come on.
Bye.
Hey.
Beth, but I want you to
hang out for a minute.
Come on, wake up, wake up.
You okay, Beth?
You were kind of quiet today.
Yeah, I'm fine.
Is this about what
I said yesterday?
I don't know, maybe a little.
Yeah, I'm sorry, I didn't want
to make you uncomfortable.
It's just I get
carried away sometimes.
It's fine.
Seriously, I won't tell anybody.
Yeah, it's just when I look at
you, I see this incredible,
beautiful, mature young woman
who has no idea how incredible
she is, I bet nobody ever
tells you that, do they?
No.
How special you are?
No, never.
And look at me, you are
special, Elizabeth Thomas.
I see you.
Can't stop thinking
about you, Beth.
Why are you out here?
Just wanted a little
bit of alone time.
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Just a really long
day at school.
It's lot harder than
it looks like on TV.
Yeah.
People really suck.
Not everyone.
The fuse box looks okay.
I took a double shift, so I
won't be back before midnight.
Um, hey, I was thinking
maybe I could get a job
just to help out a little.
Shouldn't have to do that, Beth.
I can take care
of my own family.
I know that, it's just
there's a lot of us,
and it would be nice to
have you around more.
What about school?
Lots of kids have
jobs after school.
I can handle it.
Okay, sure, if
it's not too much.
Be a big help.
Hmm, what is so
interesting over here?
Is it a guy?
No, I'm looking for a job.
Well, that's less fun.
Yeah, tell me about it.
All these places
want 16 and over.
Like, it's that hard to work a
cash register in a drive thru.
My friend's daughter manages
the Thunderbird in Cambridge.
I'll give her a call for ya.
No, no, I can't
ask you to do that.
All right, no, it's already
done, taken care of.
Hey, time to go!
You know the drill.
Go learn.
Have you ever been arrested?
No.
Drink or use drugs
recreationally?
No.
Sorry, these are all the
standard CYA questions.
The job's yours.
Tad called my dad this
afternoon and vouched for you.
Oh, well, that's great.
Thank you, and you
won't be disappointed.
You start tomorrow?
Yeah.
Beth, I hear congratulations
are in order.
Oh, yeah, I got the
job thanks to you.
No, that's all you.
Now, come by at lunch,
I got something for you.
Okay.
Oh, it looks lovely.
You look lovely.
I wish you could see yourself
the way I see you, Beth.
Come on, let me
show you something.
I got it for the CPR course.
I used to use it to
take naps at lunch.
I'm sure we can find a
better use for it now.
Hey, why are you
guys eating so late?
Dad picked up another shift, so
we called Ben to get us pizza.
Sorry, do I know you?
I mean you look familiar.
I just can't tell from where.
Oh, if it isn't my
third favourite sister.
Hi.
Hi.
What's with the uniform?
Didn't tell you, I got a job.
Beth, why?
I wanted to, to help dad, so he
doesn't have to take so many
doubles, can actually
be around more.
Just don't fall behind in
school, okay, it's important.
Relax, I know.
Hey, I want you to have
fun in high school.
Make up for the time I missed.
Don't grow up too fast, Beth.
Have some pizza.
Gluten free?
Yeah, the toppings are.
My brother has this idea
that high school is supposed
to be so great, but it's
only because he never went.
I mean he just assumes I have
all these friends, I wish.
Well, high school is hard.
I didn't have that many
friends when I was your age.
You're only saying that
to make me feel better.
I mean everyone loves you.
You're, like, the most
popular teacher here.
Maybe it wasn't always that way.
It takes awhile for
people to see greatness.
It'll happen for you, Beth,
just like it happened for me.
Lunch is almost over.
We should go.
Hey, let me see your phone.
Unlock it, I won't look.
Okay, let me see.
Put my phone number in.
There.
Now, I'm Kristal on your phone,
and you'll be Frank in mine,
Kristal and Frank.
What is it?
Oh, I, I just wish we didn't
have to be so secretive.
People won't
understand what we have.
Sometimes God puts soulmates
in different generations.
But if you tell anybody, they
won't let us be together,
and you don't want that, do you?
No, I don't know.
Sure, you do.
You know nobody cares about you
as much as I do, don't you?
Morning, Elizabeth Thomas?
Yeah.
I'm Detective Maclendon
with the Maury County
Sheriff's Department.
I need to ask you
a few questions.
Is there someone you can
call to come along with?
So, there's been an allegation
by another student,
that she saw you and
your teacher kissing
in his classroom.
What? What teacher?
I don't what to tell
you, it's just not true.
Well, the student seemed
to be pretty sure about what
she saw there,
Mr. Cummins.
Well, the student must
be confused or lying.
So, then you don't
have any relationship
with Elizabeth Thomas?
I'm her teacher, that's
the relationship.
She's a kid from
a troubled family,
who's never been in school
before in her life.
Of course, I gave her a little
extra attention, she needs it.
What kind of extra attention?
That's all.
Me and some other kids eat lunch
in his classroom sometimes.
Sometimes he brings me
snacks, the gluten free kind,
'cause he knows I'm allergic.
Is this something you noticed
him doing for other kids?
I didn't pay attention to
what he does for other kids.
Have you ever seen
him outside of school?
Church.
What kind of nefarious things
do you think I'm up to with
a little girl at church,
next to my wife?
I have to admit it's a
little unusual for a teacher
to take, his student to church.
Is it?
To take a troubled kid
to find a little comfort
in God is unusual?
You a church going
man, Detective?
Just weddings and
funerals, Mr. Cummins.
Did you ever give
Miss Thomas any gifts?
Yeah, I did, a bible.
It's the book they read from
at weddings and funerals.
Oh, he's just nice
to me, that's all.
I don't have many friends,
and school, it's, it's hard.
He's really the only one who I
can talk to about how my
day is going, or if
I have a problem.
Isn't that
what teachers are for?
I have the students call me by
my first name because I want
them to trust me.
It's tough being a
teenager, Detective.
All these emotions that they
don't know what to do with,
then you take a girl's
mom out of the equation,
which end up with exactly the
kind of kid who could fall
through the cracks without
a little special attention.
I'm doing exactly what
any good teacher would.
Am I under arrest?
What's gonna happen
to, um, Mr. Cummins?
That's going to depend on what
our investigation uncovers.
Miss Thomas, I know
you just met me today,
and I'm asking you to reveal
some uncomfortable things about
a teacher you've come to trust,
but if Mr. Cummins is engaging
in any kind of physical
activity with you,
then he's betraying that
trust that you put in him.
You're not to have any
contact with Elizabeth Thomas
while we conduct
our investigation.
Is that understood?
Hey, is it true?
Hey, is anything they
said in there true?
No, I mean yes, but only the
stuff about him being friends,
okay, nothing else.
I'm not stupid, Beth.
I didn't go to school,
but I know it's not normal
for a teacher to spend time
with a kid outside of it.
There's nobody else for me, Ben.
Hey, you and dad
are always working,
and Dawn is glued to her phone,
and Lily is just a little kid,
so there's nobody
for me to talk to.
Do you know who saw us?
We've been pretty careful.
I mean right now it's just our
word against the student's.
Yeah, but what's
gonna happen to you?
Nothing. It's all
gonna just die down.
We just have to stay away
from each other at school.
This really sucks.
I was thinking maybe I should
talk to somebody, like,
maybe it would help me feel...
What, no, no, no, no, you don't
need to do that, you have me.
No, I don't.
They won't even let us in
the same classroom anymore.
Hey, I'm not going anywhere.
This is all gonna blow
over, you'll see.
Is it true that you're
hooking up with Tad?
What, no, who told you?
Whatever, okay.
Way to ruin it for
the rest of us.
Tad!
Beth, uh, we're not supposed
to be seen together.
I know, it's...
Come on, get in!
Like, they're all talking about
me and just staring at me,
and whispering and
calling me names and I...
I know, but, but...
Do you?!
I mean is anybody
calling you a sl*t?
This is not gonna
last forever, okay.
We just have to
weather the storm.
You can do this, Beth.
I know how strong you are.
I, I just shouldn't
be here, I don't...
Don't!
Don't let them tear us apart.
Okay, at what point does
this become harassment?
Save the outrage this
time, Mr. Cummins.
So, did you drive her home?
Stop along the way?
Do we need to escort
from the grounds?
No, I'm going.
You know, you...
Can't believe dad didn't
take your phone away.
What? Why?
Because of what happened
with you and that teacher?
Nothing happened, so shut up.
Nice try, you're not invisible.
But you are good at hiding.
Careful, you don't want
to be seen with me.
The coast is clear.
It's not true, obviously.
Well, no one's buying that.
Everyone's saying you're the
reason that Tad got suspended.
Oh, and you should probably
steer clear of Rachel.
Tad's her favourite teacher,
and she hates eating
in the cafeteria.
Sorry, just wanted
to be real with you.
Look, everyone will move on
eventually, they always do.
Great.
Never thought I'd miss
home schooling so much.
Nah.
Got to join the world sometime.
Okay, it'll be some days drive
until we get to the coast,
but I have a few ideas to keep
us out from under the radar now.
Oh, wait, what are
you talking about?
We can just get away from
all this and be together.
Think about it.
Listen, we may have to rough it
a little bit, but don't worry,
that's where all the Special
Forces skills come in, right.
We can totally do this.
I don't know, like,
what about my family?
I, I can't just leave them.
You mean your family
that doesn't appreciate
and support you?
It's just my dad, he will
lose it, and my sisters, I...
I'm unemployed now!
I might be under criminal
investigation because you came
up to me in the parking lot.
I'm sorry.
I didn't...
Like, what if they do the
investigation and they just
don't find anything, then
they'll have to let you come
back, and then everything
can just go back to normal.
Don't be na ïve.
Look, it's not going
back to normal.
Not for us.
Not anymore.
This is our chance
to be together,
not to have to worry
about being judged.
I love you, Beth.
You mean everything to me.
I can't live without
you, I won't.
I'll k*ll myself, I swear.
No, no, don't say that.
Then come with me.
Please.
Can you turn it on silent, Beth?
I'm sorry.
Can you pass the beans?
So, uh, I have a job interview
tomorrow out in Franklin.
Early.
It's for a respiratory therapy
job at the hospital up there.
Pays really well.
I'm worried about the Corolla
not making it up there and back.
Mind if I trade for yours?
Hey, Dawn?
What?
If I'm not home by 9
tonight, call the police.
There you go.
Thank you.
Have a nice night.
Thank you.
Look, Tad, I don't think-
Beth, I know you're scared, and
I promise I'll take care of you.
You have to trust me.
Can you do that?
Yeah, shut the door.
Our new life's right out there.
It's just waiting for us.
Nice to see you, too.
What's wrong?
I don't know, it just seems
like no one has any answers,
so I'm just, look,
I don't know where she is.
So, when is the last
time anyone saw her?
She took her break at 7:30,
and just never came back.
Okay, did you try to reach her?
A couple of times, but it
went straight to voicemail.
Excuse me.
Hey, Mac.
I think you better
come over here.
Elizabeth Thomas is missing.
Getting the records for
both of their cell phones
any minute now.
There were security cameras next
door and at the gas station
across the street, but nothing
with a view of the parking lot.
Right.
We're gonna need AMBER Alerts
in Tennessee and Alabama.
Maybe Mississippi
and Georgia, too.
Copy that.
This is gonna be uncomfortable.
Did Tad give you any
indication of where he may
have gone to,
Mrs. Cummins?
He left this.
I didn't find it until
early this morning.
He said he was going either
to DC or Virginia Beach
to clear his head.
I thought he had a job
interview up in Franklin.
He asked to switch cars with me.
He cleaned out our savings,
and it wasn't much.
Does he own any firearms?
A handgun, and that's gone, too.
Mrs. Cummins,
I have to ask.
Do you think Tad
would hurt Beth?
I don't think so,
but I didn't think he'd
leave me for her either.
Thirty-one years.
FBI is here.
Mrs. Cummins, excuse
me, I'll be right back.
Agent Hammer.
You guys got here fast.
Time is of the
essence, detective.
I understand we have
a young lady to find.
Yes.
Let's see what you've got.
Tad Cummins last used his credit
card yesterday at 8:00 am,
at a gas station across the
street from the Thunderbird,
where he picked up
our missing minor.
He left this note for his wife,
implying that he was heading
north and east, to
Virginia or maybe DC.
We have to assume this
note was written for us.
We subpoenaed their
cell phone records,
but they've both been
offline since yesterday.
If he's not using cell phones,
he's smart enough not
to use credit cards.
Tracking them isn't
going to be easy.
We're setting up a tip line, and
we're gonna get AMBER Alerts
issued in this state
and everyone around it.
We're already over 24 hours
into a 48-hour window.
So, let's get at it.
Let's find this b*stard.
All right, you heard the
man, let's move, people.
It could be weeks
before anybody realizes
the plates are
different. Here.
How often do people look at
their own licence plate, right?
You're a natural at this.
Look at us, we're a
regular Bonnie and Clyde.
There.
Thank you.
Hey, can you point
me in the direction of
the nearest SuperMart?
Thanks.
Hmm, the glasses look good.
You think so?
How do I look?
Ten years younger, right?
Well, I don't know
about ten years.
This is nice, being together.
I don't have to
worry about anyone.
Come on, let's go to bed.
Pass me my hat.
Don't get out.
Looks like our
AMBER Alert paid off.
Tad Cummins was caught on video
this morning at a gas station
in Diamond, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma, so we were
right, he's headed west,
maybe the coast.
I can't believe it.
He looks like a completely
different person.
You can't just talk
to just anybody, Beth.
I need you to be more careful.
Well, he asked me a question,
what was I supposed to do?
Just do nothing.
Smile and let me
do all the talking.
You know, the longer
he looks at you-
TV: The search for 15-year-old
Elizabeth Thomas continues.
Now Connie Cummins, the wife
of the man who has allegedly
abducted the teen, is speaking
out with an emotional plea
to her fugitive husband.
Tad, you know you
can't hide forever.
For your sake and Beth's sake,
please just go to the police
or drop Beth off somewhere safe.
My family must be worried sick.
Maybe if we could just let
them know that I'm safe.
No, because then the
FBI will find us.
You know what happens next?
They separate us.
And we both go to jail.
Remember those licence
plates you swapped?
It's a federal
offence, sweetheart.
Wait, what?
I'm not gonna let that happen.
We're gonna leave the country.
We go somewhere where
they can't follow us.
How? I mean it's not like we
could just get on a plane.
No, not a plane.
This must have cost a lot.
How much do we have left?
Don't worry about it.
Let me worry about
the money, okay.
Can we really get
to Mexico from here?
And that's what the map says.
You know, we'll go where
they aren't expecting us.
Slipping right
under their noses.
I don't know how to canoe.
It's a kayak, sweetie.
Just do what I say and
everything will be fine.
Hey!
I'm an expert in this stuff.
Hey!
Might not be a great
day to get out on the water.
It doesn't look that bad.
We're just going out
for a little bit.
We're not planning
to be out long.
It'd be surprising on how
quickly it can change.
Trust me.
We'll start back in as
soon as it gets rough.
It's already looking
pretty rough.
We've been through a lot worse.
Come on, sweetie.
Come on, we got to go now.
Wait! Stop!
Tad, no.
I just got the whitecap warning.
I can't let anyone out on the
water with a storm coming.
Can't have you and your daughter
here getting into any trouble
out there on my watch.
No, we wouldn't
want that, would we.
Very kind of you.
Maybe you'll have
better luck tomorrow.
Yeah, well, we couldn't
had any worse, right.
He said we could
try again tomorrow.
We can't chance it, okay.
He got a good look at us.
It's not too long before he's
gonna see a news report.
Come on.
Well, then how are we
gonna get to Mexico?
We're not, Beth!
We got to find another way!
Hey, you don't
have to yell at me.
It's not like this was my idea.
Easy, sweetheart.
I... I'm not angry
with you, okay.
I'm just a little on edge.
I want to figure
this out, come on.
Greetings!
How are ya?
Good.
You folks looking
to do some camping?
Uh, actually, we're headed
up to this commune up north,
Brokenhead Ranch.
You heard of it?
Oh, everyone around here
has heard of that ranch.
They live off the grid, like,
way off the grid, you know.
Yeah, Joann and I here
thought that would be
a great place for us, so.
Oh.
Yeah, I lost my wallet
a couple of states back.
Had to cancel our credit cards.
Oh, sh**t, sorry to hear that.
Yeah, we're running on
fumes, so I hate to do this,
but I wondered if you
could get me enough gas
to get up to the commune.
Oh, uh, there's no way that
you're gonna make it in time
for nightfall, and folks
are a lot warmer to strangers
in the daylight.
So, hey, why, why don't you
just stay here for the night.
I, I can cover the
cost of your permits,
and it's not gonna be much, but
that should cover you for gas
to get up to Brokenhead.
Thank you, that's great.
Hey, are, are you folks
sure about Brokenhead?
It's, it's just, like, the folks
that we get from up there,
they're, um, they're a little,
but not you, that's for sure.
Well, Joann and I here thought
it'd be great to live off
the grid for awhile, so.
Peace and quiet would
be great for us.
Okay, so you have
a good evening.
Appreciate you.
And good luck getting
out to Brokenhead.
Thanks.
Yeah, nice to meet you.
Did he recognize us?
He just kept looking at you.
No, I don't know.
He could be calling
the police right now.
He's not going to
call the police.
Can't risk it.
What are you doing?
Oh no, you can't just
go and sh**t him.
He could tell people who we are.
He knows where we're going.
He knows.
He doesn't, doesn't
know who we are.
Please, Tad.
You're scaring me.
Sorry...
sorry.
I can't risk somebody
taking you away from me.
Here at Brokenhead
Ranch, we all pitch in.
Everyone's welcome as
long as they contribute.
Well, I can hunt and I'm a
great shot, and my wife, Joann,
here is a great cook, so she
can help out in the kitchen.
Well, we're vegans here.
So, we don't allow
hunting or g*ns.
Um, I have other skills,
I'm sure I can pitch in.
Okay.
I think you two will
fit in here just fine.
Thanks.
Is there any evidence that
Elizabeth was taken by force,
or is it possible
she went willingly?
I don't know whether she
went willingly or not.
I don't believe that's something
a 15-year-old girl can just say,
hey, I'm going off with
a 50-year-old and...
I just, I just don't understand
why you'd ask that question.
I don't expect Tad Cummins
to turn himself in.
I just want him to leave
Elizabeth somewhere safe,
so she can be reunited with
the people who love her.
I don't want to hear
the same excuses!
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
you know what?
All you two do is sleep all day!
Look, we took a lot
to get up here, okay.
We needed some time to rest.
A week and a half, and you
haven't done a damn thing!
Oh, yeah, yeah,
yeah, yeah.
You're content to
eat all our food!
Of course, we got to eat a lot
of food, there's no meat here.
You knew the deal!
Waited this long
to be together.
Arthur: You knew
every bit of the deal!
I'll have to figure
something else out, won't I.
Tad: Yeah, yeah,
yeah, you know what,
vegetables are a side dish,
okay, that's not a main course.
I was married to man
who yelled a lot once.
Tad: Yeah.
Arthur: Get out!
Tad: I'm not leaving.
Arthur: I've had it!
Did you leave?
Tad: Fine, you want your plate,
go ahead, king of the commune,
have it, enjoy it!
Yeah, in the middle
of the night.
Two days after he broke
my arm for the last time.
They don't have to hit
you to suck all the joy
out of your life.
We're leaving!
Come get your stuff.
Hey, you two.
Hey, you ever make
it up to Brokenhead?
Uh, yeah, we did,
it didn't go well.
Like you said, they're odd.
Yeah, can't say
I didn't warn ya.
Yeah, can I talk to
you for a second?
Yeah, what's up?
Do you think you can put
us up for a couple of days?
I mean just so I can
figure something else out.
Uh, I can't let you
stay in the campground
without a paid permit.
I, I could lose my job, man.
Look, I really need your help.
We don't have anybody
else to turn to.
Okay, look, there's,
um, there's a cabin
a little ways up the road.
It's basically just
four walls and a roof,
but you can stay
there for a few days.
Thank you.
Yeah.
I really appreciate it.
Yeah, it's, it's back
the way you came,
and you come to a fork in the
road, you just take that left,
and it's, it's
about a half mile.
Thanks, man.
Yeah.
Oh, that's a cabin?
Oh, this, this can't be it.
This will do.
Are we seriously staying here?
It's either this, or
stay in the truck.
At least this has a mattress.
Yeah, but it's gross.
It's just 'til I can
figure out the next step.
This is all gonna look
better in the morning.
Trust me.
Come on.
No, can we not?
I just, I want to go to sleep.
We waited to be together.
Doesn't matter where we are.
This is what we both wanted.
No, stop.
Really, I just, I
don't want to tonight.
You said you wanted
to be with me, yes.
This is us being together.
Now stop this.
Ow.
[{buzzing]
Pretty sure I got bit by five
different bugs last night.
So, what do we do next?
I'm working on
what's next, okay.
How about back
home to Tennessee?
Look, just don't start, okay.
I, I can't handle your
questions right now.
Well, I never get an answer.
I mean we're out of money.
We don't have anywhere to go.
It's like we're homeless.
I want to go home.
We can't, sweetheart.
We're fugitives.
I'm gonna go get
us some breakfast.
See if you can adjust your
attitude while I'm gone.
FBI! Freeze!
Hands in the air now!
g*n, drop the g*n!
Put your g*n on the ground now!
FBI!
Put the g*n down!
Drop your g*n!
Look at me, we've got numerous
firearms pointed at you.
The only way to guarantee your
safety is to do as you're told.
Now turn around!
We don't want to sh**t you!
We got him!
Got him.
Walk back slowly to
the sound of my voice.
Keep coming.
Stop there.
Down on your knees.
Any other occupants
inside that shed,
it's the FBI!
I need you to exit with your
hands and feet clearly visible,
the only way to
guarantee your safety.
See your hands!
Okay, Elizabeth, need
to get on the ground.
Get on your knees now!
Get on the ground, get on
your knees, okay, get down.
Stay calm, we'll
get you out of here.
Get in there.
Put your arms behind your back.
Interlace your fingers.
I'm applying pressure
to your fingers.
I don't want you to move.
Elizabeth, can we
ask some questions?
Elizabeth, Elizabeth, can
we ask some questions?
Elizabeth, is it true you've
been planning to runaway with
Tad Cummins for months?
Elizabeth!
Still outside.
They're not gonna handle it.
Muffled:
Beth, are you okay?
Beth.
Reporter: It's been weeks since
was reunited with her family,
and there are still so many
unanswered questions about
her time on the run with her
teacher, 52-year-old,
Tad Cummins.
Myron Barry, who called in the
tip that led authorities to
Elizabeth and Cummins' location,
said the two were posing as
husband and wife.
Barry said they seemed
polite but reserved.
There's no indication that
Elizabeth cooperated with-
Hey! What is
wrong with you?!
She's a 15-year-old girl!
Leave us alone!
You're on the lawn.
That's trespassing.
Okay, okay, okay, we're going.
Get your asses
back to the street!
This is trespassing!
We're leaving, we're leaving.
Do your job!
Come on!
They're out there all the
time just straight up lying!
Like, when are they
gonna give up?
They shouldn't be able to say
things like that about you.
It's slander, or,
or the other one.
There's got to be a law
against what they're doing.
You know it's not true, Beth.
They're not wrong.
I mean I did go with him, and
I didn't even try to leave.
I did everything he asked me to.
You shouldn't be
here by yourself.
You guys are all busy
with school and work, so.
I can't believe I
actually miss it.
What, work?
School.
Well, then you're
gonna love these.
Some reading material.
Unleash Your Inner Lion?
Yeah, I just took every
book I could find.
You don't have to
read all of them,
but if there's even
one that can help.
Thank you for trying.
I just don't feel like reading.
Do you feel like talking?
No, Ben, I, I can't
talk to you about this,
it's just too much.
No, no, not me.
This is way out of my league.
But these books talk about
ways that therapy can help.
What if we brought in a ringer?
Like a shrink?
Like a shrink.
Well, I guess it'd be easier
than unleashing my inner lion.
I know you've been
through a lot, Elizabeth,
and I imagine that the idea
of unpacking all of that
with a stranger
seems unappealing.
Yeah.
The reporters are outside
our house every day.
Just feels like getting back
to a normal life is so...
Complicated?
...impossible.
Yeah.
The worst thing is, which I
can't say to anybody, is that...
part of me still
misses talking to him.
Not like being with
him at all, just...
having someone to listen to me.
Mm-hmm, yeah, that's
understandable.
He set himself up in
your life as the only one
who cared about you.
That's exactly what they do.
Who's they?
Groomers.
They gain their victims' trust,
and then gradually push them out
of their comfort zone.
Think back to when
you first met him.
Were there moments you felt
uncomfortable but didn't know
how to say it?
Well, he would say things
about how I looked.
Mm-hmm.
Make me feel gross.
Yeah.
But he was also there for
me to talk about anything.
Yeah, that's the confusing
part of it, right.
You felt that way because he
manipulated you into thinking
that what he was doing
was best for you.
And shouldn't I feel better now?
Shouldn't I just be happy?
Yeah, well, if it were that
easy, I'd be out of business.
Now, should I get started?
Yeah.
Whoa, you are absolutely
right, brown is not your color.
Jerk.
You don't have to do this.
I can support us both just fine.
It's exactly what dad told me.
I don't mean forever, you think
I want to spend my best years
living with my little sister?
Seriously though, I'm happy to
take on the financial burden
of the household.
Truly.
No deal.
I mean I got to fill my time
somehow now that I'm doing
therapy four times a week.
Oh yeah, all that
extra time to k*ll.
Yeah.
Are you sure about this?
Yeah.
I mean I feel normal, and normal
feels pretty good right now.
Hard to believe
sometimes you're just 17.
Why? 'Cause I
sound so mature?
No, 'cause you look
like you're forty.
Okay.
Now go, no, no, no.
We don't throw things here.
Okay.
Go to work.
Okay.
Go make the donuts.
Goodbye.
Have fun.
Daddy's little girl.
What did you say?
I know you are, young lady.
You got some nerve
sticking around here
after what you've done.
What I have done?
That poor man has a wife,
children, grandchildren,
they all live around here.
What if they get
hungry for a donut?
You should be ashamed!
Orders come up here,
tap pay is there.
Not enough people use
cash to worry about it
at the end of the night.
If you've worked on register,
you've worked them all, right?
If you're unsure about
anything, just ask.
Do you have any
questions so far?
No, no questions.
Nobody cares how many donuts
you eat, so that's a plus.
You know, unless you
don't like donuts.
I can't eat gluten.
Soda's free.
So, is this your
first job since?
Yeah, it is.
I'm kind of nervous.
Can you tell?
Well, now I can.
You know, I don't
know how you do it.
The judgy people, and the jerks
making comments online and.
Online? Where?
Well, I went to the same
school that you did,
and the message board
on the school website,
and it's just, you know what?
Never mind.
That is not helpful right now.
I just can't help but think
Tad Cummins was treated
totally unfairly.
He always tried to look out for
the kids and Beth did everything
she could to get close to him.
What happened is at
least half her fault,
but he's the only one that
gets arrested and fired.
How is that fair?
We're praying for you, Connie.
Connie and Tad were married for
temptress led him into sin.
I remember that dress
she wore to church when Tad
and Connie brought her.
That girl knew
what she was doing.
Beth!
Channel six, got it.
"The dogs shall eat Jezebel
by the wall of Jezreel."
Where's the remote?
Beth!
Beth!
Oh, it's over, damn it!
Ben, what's happening?
Tad Cummins is pleading guilty.
Elizabeth?
Sally Jemison, I'm the
lead prosecutor on the case.
Hi.
Hi.
Hi. Why don't we
speak in my office.
Tad Cummins is pleading
guilty to two charges:
Transporting a minor across
state lines with the intent
to engage in criminal
sexual activity,
and destruction of records
in a criminal case.
That's for tossing your cell
phone and his into the river.
That charge could result in
up to 20 years in prison.
For the first charge, we're
looking at anywhere from
But that's up to the
judge's discretion.
Ten years?
This scumbag can get more time
for tossing a phone than...
It's not a perfect
outcome, I know,
but it will save you a long
and arduous trial in which
a defense attorney will do
their best to discredit you
and your character.
Well, people are
already doing that.
A trial will make it
exponentially worse, trust me.
I just want to be
sure you're prepared.
The judge could be lenient due
to his lack of criminal record
and his standing
in the community.
What, 'cause he took me to
church he's a good guy?
He's pleading guilty,
shouldn't that be enough to...
Is there anything
we can do to help?
Well, a victim impact
statement from you
could help move the needle.
It's up to you, but it would
be quite powerful if the judge
could hear from you
directly, Elizabeth.
It won't be easy, but.
♪♪♪ Over the hills
and everywhere ♪
♪ Go, tell it on the mountain
♪ That Jesus Christ is born
♪ Go, tell it on the mountain
♪ Over the hills
and everywhere ♪
♪ Go, tell it on the mountain
♪ That Jesus Christ is born ♪
Good night, everyone, we'll
see you next week.
Thank you, thanks, everyone.
Um, excuse me.
Are you Mrs. Peters?
Yes.
Um, I was wondering, or I'm
interested in joining the choir.
I know your face.
Right, from the news.
It seems that man had
everyone fooled, including me.
Next practice is
Wednesday night.
Let's see where you fit in.
I'll be there.
We'll see you then.
Great.
Uh, can I get the Gal's
mixed dozen, please?
Ah sure, that'll be $10.51.
Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
Somebody seriously hired
you after what you did?
I didn't do anything
wrong, Rachel.
Did you want your receipt?
You seduced a married man,
took him away from his family,
and then cost him his job!
What kind of person does that?
Have a nice night.
Drop dead, you donut
slinging wh*re.
If you ever-
Oh!
Huh.
Well, you b*tch!
Is this my last free donut?
No.
I'll make sure that
one's gluten free.
I just didn't want
to eat these alone.
You got a hell of an arm.
I'm so sorry, Gina.
I just... that's
it, I'm sorry.
Please don't fire me.
If she files a report,
there's nothing I can do.
Yeah, I know.
You know, I heard
what that girl said,
and if anyone deserved
a soda to the face...
fire in the hole, girl.
Ben: Hey!
Where are you going?
What happened?
Nothing, just a
long day at work.
This girl from school
came by the store tonight.
She said some things.
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
She's always been mean, so.
Does this still happen a lot?
Everywhere I go.
I, I was just hoping people
would be over it by now.
Like, stop blaming me and
thinking it's my fault.
These people are... they don't
know what they're talking about.
They don't know the first thing.
You know, I just... sometimes
I wish I could go back.
Maybe I could have done
something before he got you
in that car to go.
It's not on you.
You know, when that
prosecutor brought up making
a victim statement,
I wanted to say no,
that you shouldn't have
to go through that.
But now... I don't know.
I think you owe it to yourself
to say some of these things,
to his face.
Yeah, I was thinking
the same thing.
I just don't know
where to start.
We'll find it.
You sure about this?
I am.
Well, for what it's worth,
I think you're really
brave to do this.
Thanks.
Judge Harmon: Ms. Jemison,
I understand the victim
in this case wishes
to make a statement.
Ms. Jemison: That's
correct, your Honor.
Please proceed.
It's, um, very difficult
for me to stand here and
then fully describe the impact
that Mr. Cummins' crimes
have had on my life.
Um, the effects have
been... the effects have...
Why don't you take
a seat, sweetheart?
Ms. Jemison: Do
you want to stop?
Ms. Jemison?
Your honor, in order to not
retraumatize Miss Thomas,
I'm going to read her statement.
Of course.
Please proceed.
'The effects have been
devastating and permanent,
and they are not over.
Mr. Cummins, what you
did to me is unspeakable.
I don't know that any words
could ever accurately express
how much pain I have suffered
and continue to suffer
because of you.'
These are not your words.
'When I started school, you
picked me out of the crowd.'
That's not how you talk.
'You saw a broken
girl who was lonely,
scared and traumatized.'
I'm the only one who
ever saw you, Beth.
'You made her feel safe and
loved because you saw what she
needed and made her believe you
would be her protector.'
I'll protect you.
'Your choices destroyed not just
my family, but also yours.
The truth is, no matter...
Look at me.
...how much time
you have to serve...
I love you.
...you will never be able to
undo what you did to me.'
Wait.
I can finish.
For the last two years, I have
been picking myself up piece by
piece and proving to
myself that I am much,
much stronger than you
convinced me I was.
And I chose to surround myself
with people who really love
and care for me.
And because of that, I'm able
to stand here today to face you,
and to tell you that you
don't have the power over me
that you once had.
You can't hurt me anymore.
Tad Cummins is a sick
disgusting criminal,
and I believe his sentence
should be 38 years in prison.
One year for each day he
kept me away from my family.
Thank you.
Thank you, Miss Thomas.
You're excused.
What?
Releasing your inner lion.
I am so ready to go home.
Well, then that's
where we're going.
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Abducted by my Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story (2023)
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