Missing Teacher's Wife of 31 Years Is Divorcing Him

The wife of Tad Cummins, the Tennessee teacher suspected of kidnapping his freshman student, has filed for divorce. WHNT reports marital misconduct and irreconcilable differences were listed on the complaint filed Friday by Jill Cummins, who was married to Tad for 31 years. Cummins, 50, and his student Elizabeth Thomas, 15, have been missing since March 13 and were last caught on camera in an Oklahoma Walmart; the video was taken March 15 and released Friday. Jill, who Heavy reports works in the same school district as Tad, pleaded to him directly in a press conference in March, asking that he return the girl safely.

"Tad, this is not you. This is not who you are. We can help you get through this," she said. "No matter how far you've gone and what's happening right now, God's grace is sufficient for you, and he wants you to come home." According to WSMV, Jill's lawyer issued a statement Friday asking the media to respect her privacy as she navigates this trying time. "The filing of the divorce complaint is the first step to removing Jill from this situation. Jill will attempt to move forward with her life. This is a difficult time for her and her family." (The DA says it's possible Cummins is now in Mexico and posing as a missionary.)