So-called 'affluenza teen' Ethan Couch released from prison

Monday, April 2, 2018
FORT WORTH, Texas -- The so-called "affluenza teen," Ethan Couch, was released from prison on Monday.

Couch, now 20, served two years in a Texas prison for violating his probation. He was 16 years old when he killed four pedestrians while driving under the influence in 2013.
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Couch's attorneys argued his wealthy upbringing made it impossible for him to understand the consequences of his actions, dubbing it "affluenza." A juvenile court sentenced him to 10 years of probation.

Couch's probation was revoked in 2016 after he attended a party where alcohol was served.

A Texas judge revoked bond for his 50-year-old mother. State District Judge Wayne Salvant had warned Tonya Couch last June to "use common sense" pending her trial on hindering apprehension of a felon and money laundering charges. She was charged after she and Ethan Couch fled to Mexico in 2015.

A chaplain at the jail said Ethan Couch has changed.
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"I think he has made clear to me that he needed time behind bars -- just really get him to the place of ownership," the chaplain said.



Ethan Couch is now on probation until 2026. He is under a mandatory curfew and can't leave the house until after 8 a.m. and must be back home by 9 that night. He must also consent to alcohol and drug tests and has a GPS monitoring system on his ankle.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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