The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says they are continuing the search for missing 15-year-old Elizabeth Thomas, believed to be with a former Maury County school teacher.

TBI says they issued a statewide AMBER Alert in Tennessee and another in the state of Alabama last night. 50-year-old Tad Cummins, is believed to be armed with two handguns. He is believed to be driving a silver Nissan Rogue with Tennessee tag 976-ZPT. A warrant has been issued for his arrest for sexual contact with a minor.

The TBI adds they now know Cummins secured a title loan for a personal vehicle several days before he disappeared, getting $4,500 in cash from the transaction.

Thomas was last seen Monday morning at the Shoney’s in Columbia, Tennessee after she was dropped off by a friend. She was reported missing later that day. Thomas is believed to have also been in Decatur, Alabama on Monday afternoon based on evidence gathered by investigators.

District Attorney General Brent Cooper confirmed today the charges against Cummins stem from an alleged sexual interaction between the former teacher and Thomas at the school where he taught. Cummins was suspended once the school was made aware of the allegation and officially fired Tuesday.

Thomas is white, with blonde hair, hazel eyes, stands 5’5” and weighs 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and black leggings. Cummins is described as a white male, who stands 6’0”, weighs approximately 200 pounds, and has brown hair and eyes.