The Latest: Teacher pleads guilty to fleeing with minor

NASHVILLE – The Latest on Tennessee teacher who pleaded guilty to fleeing the state with a minor (all times local):

4:15 p.m.

An ex-Tennessee teacher who fled the state last year with a 15-year-old student has pleaded guilty to federal charges.

Tad Cummins pleaded guilty Thursday to obstruction of justice and crossing state lines to have sex with a minor.

The 51-year-old Cummins disappeared with the girl last March. The two were found in April at a remote forest cabin near Cecilville, California, following a tip to police.

Although their absence sparked a 39-day nationwide manhunt, the girl was found safe.

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An ex-Tennessee teacher who fled with a 15-year-old student last year and set off a 39-day nationwide manhunt is scheduled to plead guilty.

A document filed by his lawyer last week in federal court in Nashville says 51-year-old Tad Cummins wants to change his previous not guilty plea. It says he “would like to enter a plea of guilty.”

A sentencing hearing is scheduled on Thursday afternoon.

He is charged with transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual conduct and obstruction of justice.

Cummins and the girl disappeared last March. They were found in April last year at a remote forest cabin near Cecilville, California, following a tip to police.