Jiggyfly
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Authorities ask for public's help in Ethan Couch search
Lauren Zakalik, WFAA 5:56 p.m. CST December 21, 2015
FORT WORTH — In one week's time, Ethan Couch has gone from a young man on probation to a fugitive, wanted by U.S. Marshals. Authorities say he and his mother, Tonya, are nowhere to be found.
"We have literally over the past few days run down hundreds and hundreds of leads," said Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson.
Investigators worked all weekend sifting through those tips, but Anderson said so far, nothing has panned out.
The infamous "affluenza" teen and his mother remain missing after he skipped out on a meeting with his probation officer.
On Monday authorities released information about Tonya Couch's missing 2011 black Harley-Davidson edition Ford F-150 in hopes people might see it. It bears Texas plates BC5 0945.
"There's a possibility she or he may be in that truck... we don't know that for a fact," the sheriff said.
Couch is serving 10 years' probation for killing four people in a drunken-driving wreck in Burleson when he was 16.
Earlier this month, a video surfaced, allegedly showing Ethan Couch, now 18, at a beer pong party. The sheriff believes that video might have been what sent Couch and his mom running. Couch failed to appear for a scheduled meeting with his parole officer, and the family's home on Eagle Mountain Lake is empty.
"If we can find out [Tonya Couch] helped him at all, I can assure you we will file criminal cases against her," Anderson said.
As for Ethan, District Attorney Sharen Wilson wants his case moved out of juvenile court. She already filed the paperwork to do so.
"He's looking at possible penitentiary time if he is transferred to adult court," Wilson said.
Authorities said they are scouring phone, financial, and flight records. They're also focusing on the beer pong party video.
On Monday, a parent of one of the people in the video said their child was contacted by a criminal investigator with the DA's office.
"I personally do not believe a 10-year probated sentence as a juvenile was sufficient punishment for killing four people," Wilson said.
But before they can address that, they need to find Ethan Couch and his mother.
Lauren Zakalik, WFAA 5:56 p.m. CST December 21, 2015
FORT WORTH — In one week's time, Ethan Couch has gone from a young man on probation to a fugitive, wanted by U.S. Marshals. Authorities say he and his mother, Tonya, are nowhere to be found.
"We have literally over the past few days run down hundreds and hundreds of leads," said Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson.
Investigators worked all weekend sifting through those tips, but Anderson said so far, nothing has panned out.
The infamous "affluenza" teen and his mother remain missing after he skipped out on a meeting with his probation officer.
On Monday authorities released information about Tonya Couch's missing 2011 black Harley-Davidson edition Ford F-150 in hopes people might see it. It bears Texas plates BC5 0945.
"There's a possibility she or he may be in that truck... we don't know that for a fact," the sheriff said.
Couch is serving 10 years' probation for killing four people in a drunken-driving wreck in Burleson when he was 16.
Earlier this month, a video surfaced, allegedly showing Ethan Couch, now 18, at a beer pong party. The sheriff believes that video might have been what sent Couch and his mom running. Couch failed to appear for a scheduled meeting with his parole officer, and the family's home on Eagle Mountain Lake is empty.
"If we can find out [Tonya Couch] helped him at all, I can assure you we will file criminal cases against her," Anderson said.
As for Ethan, District Attorney Sharen Wilson wants his case moved out of juvenile court. She already filed the paperwork to do so.
"He's looking at possible penitentiary time if he is transferred to adult court," Wilson said.
Authorities said they are scouring phone, financial, and flight records. They're also focusing on the beer pong party video.
On Monday, a parent of one of the people in the video said their child was contacted by a criminal investigator with the DA's office.
"I personally do not believe a 10-year probated sentence as a juvenile was sufficient punishment for killing four people," Wilson said.
But before they can address that, they need to find Ethan Couch and his mother.