Family asks for continued prayers amid ongoing AMBER Alert for Elizabeth Thomas

The family of missing Middle Tennessee girl at the center of an AMBER ALERT out of Maury County asked for continued prayers in a letter Thursday calling the past 10 days the most difficult in their lives.

"The family has been overwhelmed with the kindness shown to us by the Maury County community and beyond," the single-page letter released through Attorney S. Jason Whatley reads. "We humbly ask that you continue to pray as we do our best to cope with the emotional weight of Elizabeth's abduction."

Elizabeth Thomas was last seen March 13 wearing a flannel shirt and black leggings. The girl's 50-year-old high-school teacher Tad Cummins is accused of kidnapping her.

"We are desperate for any information that might lead to our daughter," the letter continues. "The information that we need is not only from what people have seen and heard after Elizabeth's disappearance, but also from before. Facts about prior events, especially interaction between Elizabeth and Tad Cummins and statements made by both parties to third parties, may very well contain clues to lead to Elizabeth's return... Elizabeth must be found. Time is of the essence."

A warrant was issued for Cummins' arrest after a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation suggested he "may have been abusing his role as a teacher to groom this vulnerable young girl for some time in an effort to lure and potentially sexually exploit her."

District Attorney General Brent Cooper said Cummins will be charged with the aggravated kidnapping of Thomas, in addition to charges he faces for a reported physical interaction that took place with Thomas at the school.

Cummings is believed to be armed with two handguns and driving a Silver Nissan Rogue, TN tag, 976-ZPT.

Anyone with information about the case or the whereabouts of Thomas is urged to call the TBI at 1-800-824-3463. Anyone who provides information leading to his arrest will be eligible for a $1,000 reward.

Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at 615-259-8072 and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.