Caretaker at remote cabin suspected teacher, called police

COLUMBIA, Tenn. — A 15-year-old Tennessee student who authorities say was kidnapped by her teacher and taken to California is back home, a lawyer for the girl’s family said Friday.

The girl is being evaluated and treated by mental-health experts specializing in trauma, lawyer Jason Whatley said in a news release.

Authorities credit the caretaker of a remote northern California property for helping police find her and arrest fired teacher Tad Cummins. After Griffin Barry became suspicious of two people he initially thought were in distress, his tip led police to Cummins, the teacher accused of kidnapping his student and taking her on a 2,500mile, cross-country journey.

Barry said the pair told him their names were John and Joanna and they needed money for food, gas and a place to stay, ABC News’ “Good Morning America” reported Friday. But Barry, 29, said he became suspicious.

“The girl wasn’t really looking at me or anything and he was always dominating the conversation,” Barry said. “That kind of clues people in.”

After seeing a photo of Cummins in an Amber Alert, Barry called authorities.

The Siskiyou County sheriff’s office sent a tactical unit to the cabin Thursday morning. Cummins was arrested after he came out of the cabin with the girl walking behind him, the sheriff’s office said.

Sheriff Jon E. Lopey said the two had previously been at a commune called Black Bear Ranch, but “didn’t get along” with commune residents and ended up leaving.

The Associated Press is not naming the girl because she is an alleged victim of a sex crime.

Cummins faces federal and state charges of aggravated kidnapping and sexual contact with a minor. If convicted of the federal charge, he faces at least 10 years in prison, acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith said.

Cummins had been suspended from teaching after authorities questioned his relationship with the girl and a fellow student saw Cummins kissing her.