Warrant issued for teen Ethan Couch after made-up disease 'affluenza' gets him off the hook for fatal crash

Friday, December 18, 2015 by: L.J. Devon, Staff Writer
Tags: Ethan Couch, affluenza, fictitious disease

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(NaturalNews) On June 15, 2013, half a dozen families from Burleson, Texas, received the most terrifying phone calls of their lives.

24-year-old Breanna Mitchell, whose SUV had just broken down, was getting help from three great people who kindly stopped – youth pastor Brian Jennings, 41, Hollie Boyles, 52, and her daughter, Shelby Boyles, 21.

That's when an intoxicated driver, going 70 in a 40 mph zone, suddenly swerved off the road. The speeding pickup truck crashed into the broken-down SUV, killing all four innocent people. Two teenagers, partying in the back of the swerving pickup truck, were hurled out on impact. The teens – Sergio Molina and Soliman Mohmand – lived on, though his injuries meant that Molina would never be able to walk or talk again. Mohmand suffered broken bones and internal injuries.

The intoxicated driver behind the crash, 16 year-old Ethan Couch, survived. He had just left his parents' second home where he was partying and drinking alcohol. His blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit. He was put into custody and charged with four intoxication manslaughter counts in a closed hearing. Prosecutors believed Couch would spend at least 20 years behind bars.

When State District Judge Jean Boyd handed out Couch's sentence, it shockingly included no time behind bars. Instead, Ethan Couch was put on 10 years probation. During that time the court would not allow him to drive or drink, and he would be required to attend a rehabilitation facility.

Ethan Couch let off the hook because of 'affluenza'

During the closed hearing, a psychologist testified that Ethan Couch suffered from "affluenza." The psychologist and the defense made up the fictitious term "affluenza" to describe how the 16-year-old had a dysfunctional relationship with his parents because of their wealth and inability to instill a sense of responsibility in the child.

Sounds completely outrageous, huh?

Well, the privileged term "affluenza" was the main reason why the spoiled punk got off with no jail time. There was no real consequence for him. His rich parents got their way with their pocketbooks, and their unaccountable, murderous teenage son gets to go around doing whatever he wants.

Ethan Couch violates probation and flees with mother

Now, just two years after Couch was slapped on the wrist for murdering four people, a juvenile probation officer has reported that "affluenza" teen Ethan Couch and his mother cannot be reached or contacted in any way. District attorney's office spokeswoman Samantha Jordan said, "I can confirm only that we are looking into the whereabouts of Ethan and Tonya Couch at this time."

Authorities had been investigating a December 2nd video showing Couch playing beer pong with several other teenagers. He has reportedly violated his probation. Now that Couch has turned up missing, authorities have issued a warrant for his arrest.

"It's 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 defense lawyers said. According to the Tarrant County district attorney's office, "Violating the terms of his 10-year probation sentence could result in a jail sentence of up to 10 years," as reported by Dallas News.

Will the rich parents be able to pay their way out of this one? What will the excuse be this time? Maybe Ethan Couch will go on using the "affluenza" excuse his whole life, never taking responsibility for his ruthless behavior and his total lack of character.

Sources include:

CrimeBlog.DallasNews.com

DallasNews.com