While Elizabeth Thomas got re-acquainted with her family and friends, the complications in her family's domestic case continued. Her father, Anthony Thomas, filed for divorce as well as a new restraining order against her mother, Kimberly Thomas.
Elizabeth was missing for more than a month after she was allegedly kidnapped by her former teacher, 50 year-old Tad Cummins. The pair was found last week in a small cabin in Norther California. Cummins was arrested and faces multiple charges.
The 15-year-old has since undergone rehabilitation, treatment and has spent the last few days getting re-acquainted with loved ones and friends.
“Trying to get her on a level where she can cope because at this particular moment she can’t even cope with daily life right now. It’s really hard for her," sister-in-law Danielle Thomas said. “One minutes he’s happy and the same Mary Catherine that you knew before all this and then she’s shaking or curled up in the fetal position crying.”
Elizabeth left a strained family dynamic of an ongoing domestic case between Elizabeth and her mother. Kimberly Thomas has had no contact with her family for more than a year. She was charged with five counts of abuse and neglect.
The Thomas family's attorney, Jason Whatley, said this has been the most complex domestic case he ever worked.
His office is moving forward with court orders that will keep Elizabeth's mom, Kimberly Thomas, from speaking out publicly about Elizabeth.
Whatley said the well being of Elizabeth and her family is their top priority.
"The process of recovery is difficult and the stress of that is difficult on all the family. They're a very close nit family. They're working through all of that, but it's hard and it's something they take day by day. They're doing their very best," said Whatley.
