Manhunt Continues for ‘Affluenza’ Teen Accused of Violating Probation

Couch, who had been drinking at his parents’ second home in Burleson, got behind the wheel with seven people piled into his Ford pickup, authorities said. He was given 10 years’ probation, and he may have violated the terms.

An arrest warrant was issued for him after he failed to stay in contact with his probation officer. They’re also seeking the boy’s mother, Tonya Couch, with whom he had been living.

“My biggest fear is that they have gone somewhere where we are not going to find them at all”.

“We are aware that the probation authorities and/or the district attorney’s office are conducting an investigation to determine if Ethan has violated any of the terms and conditions of his probation”.

Since the fatal drunk driving incident, Couch has been referred to, infamously, as the “affluenza teen”.

Prosecutors had asked for 20 years behind bars, but a Tarrant County juvenile court judge sentenced Couch to a decade of probation. Brian Jennings, a youth pastor, as well as Hollie Boyles, and her daughter Shelby were helping Mitchell when Couch fatally struck them. Sheriff Anderson is more hopeful that massive new resources and massive publicity will lead to Couch’s arrest. It’s an incredible break for someone responsible for the death of four people.

A video of someone was posted by an unknown twitter user this month whom she claimed to be Couch at a party.

A psychologist and defense witness testified Couch was a product of something he called “affluenza”, a lifestyle where wealth brought privilege and there were no consequences for bad behavior.

HANDOUT/REUTERS The FBI and U.S. Marshals have joined the hunt for runaway Texas teen Ethan Couch.

He added the boy had an “intellectual age” of 18 but an “emotional age” six years younger.

“It’s one of those times when you hate to say ‘I told you so, ‘ but I told you so”, Anderson, the Tarrant County sheriff, told the Morning News.

His lawyers had used an “affluenza” defense; claiming Couch’s parents were dysfunctional guardians who never taught their son to live responsibly, obey the law or respect authority.

The Tarrants County sheriff’s department has been looking for Ethan Couch since he disappeared December 11th, when he missed a probation meeting.

A law-enforcement insider told The ENQUIRER: “We’re still looking forward to catching him, and we’re also thinking that the judge did us a favor!”

On the night of June 15, 2013, Couch, then 16, had been partying with friends when he chose to drive to a store.

“They have the money”.

In the meantime, Couch’s disappearance means more heartache for the families of those he killed and fuels their belief, and that of others, that he should have gotten a stiffer sentence.