During a preliminary hearing a judge ruled that Tad Cummins, the man at the center of a month-long AMBER Alert, would remain in jail until his case goes to trial.
Cummins appeared before a federal judge for the second time in one week on Firday at 1 p.m.
His appearance was a dual hearing for probable cause and detention. U.S. prosecutors argued Cummins is a flight risk and should remain in custody until his trial.
However, his attorneys argued that until the recent incident of his alleged kidnapping of a 15-year-old girl, Cummins was an outstanding member of society.
They argued that since all of his family and friends are in Middle Tennessee, he would have no reason to leave.
The judge heard testimony from two people. The fist was a U.S. witness who testified in detail to the progressions of Cummins' trip with the 15-year-old student.
Cummins' attorney called the second witness - his sister Daphne Quinn, who testified that if Cummins was released he would live with his parents in Mount Pleasant.
She said she as well as Cummins' daughters would look after him and turn him in if he violated court orders.
Ultimately the judge ordered for him to remain in jail while awaiting trial.
“On behalf of Mr. Cummins family, we just wanted to express they are still very much in support of him, not saying they condone the actions that have been alleged against him but they still provide support, emotional support for him,” Federal Public Defender Marcus Shabazz said.
The case was bound over to a grand jury.
