Arrest Warrant Issued For Missing 'Affluenza' Teen
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - The search is on for 'affluenza' teen Ethan Couch, who had received probation in 2013 after killing four people in a drunk driving crash. There is now a warrant out for Couch's arrest, as multiple agencies try to find the young man.
This all started late last week when Couch missed a mandatory meeting with his Tarrant County juvenile probation officer.
Public records indicate that the Couch family lived at a house near Eagle Mountain Lake as recently as October. However, they cannot be found there now. Law enforcement officers went to the rental property and found it empty of belongings, indicating that there was a plan to leave.
Couch killed four people and injured others in a drunk driving crash when he was just 16 years old. He famously avoided time in jail when his lawyers presented 'affluenza' as a defense, telling the judge that the Couch family's wealth prevented the young man from learning about consequences. Couch was instead given 10 years probation.
The case sparked national outrage. Click here to read more about it.
Couch's lawyers issued the following statement about the disappearance on Tuesday night.
We have recently learned that, for the last several days, the juvenile probation officer has been unable to make contact with Ethan or his mother with whom he has been residing. It is our understanding that the Court has issued a directive to apprehend to have Ethan detained because he is out of contact with his probation officer.
The teen's disappearance also comes after a video recently surfaced on social media. That online video appears to show Couch at a party with alcohol. The Tarrant County District Attorney is investigating that recording.
Law enforcement officials had been worried that the Couch and his mother would flee. If the online video proves that the teen violated his probation, he would then face prison time.
