Where Is Ethan Couch?

The U.S. Marshals’ North Texas Fugitive Task Force has joined the manhunt for Ethan Anthony Couch, the Burleson teen who killed four and seriously injured others in a 2013 drunken-driving crash on Burleson-Retta Road in rural Tarrant County. Reuters reports that Couch and his mother took their belongings and passports when they left the home they shared, sparking fears he may have escaped the country.

Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson said officials searching for Couch believe he and his mother have not only skipped town, but possibly the country.

A spokesperson for the sheriff’s department said, “Any mess-ups from now on, he’s going to be over with us. And we’re going to keep looking and we’re not going to stop”. “We’re fairly confident that we’ll be able to find him”.

In a news release, the U.S. Marshals Service said: ‘U.S. Marshals are working in conjunction with state, local, and federal agencies in the apprehension of Couch.

Affluenza is defined as “a psychological malaise supposedly affecting wealthy young people, symptoms of which include a lack of motivation, feelings of guilt, and a sense of isolation”, a condition claimed by Couch’s defense team resulted in his irresponsible behavior caused by having wealthy parents who coddled him and hindered his ability to know right from wrong.

An arrest warrant was issued for him after he failed to stay in contact with his probation officer.

But following the emergence this month of a video showing a teen reported to be Couch drinking at a party, authorities said they were trying to determine whether it was the 18-year-old known as the “affluenza” teen.

Tarrant County Juvenile Court Judge Jean Boyd decided against a long prison term, instead giving him 10 years probation and mandating that he get treatment. “We’re going come after you”, Anderson said.

“Affluenza” is not recognized as a diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association, and Couch’s probation sparked outrage. Since the fatal drunk driving incident, Couch has been referred to, infamously, as the “affluenza teen”.

Ethan Couch of Keller, Texas, faced 20 years behind bars but walked away with 10 years of probation.

Authorities say Couch recently violated his parole by leaving the country.

“It would not be prudent for us to make any further statement on Ethan’s behalf until the investigations are concluded and it is determined what, if any, action will be taken against him”, the lawyers added.

Authorities said that Couch had a blood alcohol content of 0.24 percent – three times the legal limit for an adult – and that he was driving 70 miles per hour in a 40-mph zone.

Sheriff Anderson gave CNN a message for Couch and his mother during an interview earlier this week.