The brother of 15-year-old Elizabeth Thomas said his family has been worried sick ever since she disappeared last Monday.
Elizabeth is believed to be with her former high school teacher, 50-year-old Tad Cummins, who reportedly was being investigated for allegations that he kissed Thomas in his classroom in late January.
James Thomas sat down with NewsChannel 5 saying he had never heard of Cummins until his father was notified of the allegations a week after a student reported it.
"I'm kind of surprised and discouraged that the school would've gone that long before letting of us know," James said.
James described his younger sister as an outgoing and active individual who loves people. She is one of ten children.
"I love her and I miss and just want her back home," James told NewsChannel 5.
More than anything, he just wants to know if she is safe and begs for Cummins to do the right thing.
"I'm not asking you to turn yourself in and I'm not asking you to go to police...just leave her somewhere safe and let somebody know," James pleaded. "We're trying to keep up hope and we're trying to keep prayers."
The family has started creating and wearing green ribbons in hopes of spreading awareness.
"Green is her favorite color. We're asking people to wear the ribbon, put it on your doors and mailboxes, just anything just to get people aware that she's missing and that we still want her home," James said.
Click on this link to learn more about the green ribbons.
