Thomson ReutersTonya Couch, mother of the Texas teenager derided for his “affluenza” defense in a deadly drunken-driving case, appears in court for her extradition hearing in Los AngelesThe mother of a Texas teenager derided for his “affluenza” defense in a deadly drunken-driving case on Tuesday waived her right to fight extradition to Texas during a brief court hearing in California.
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Dee Anderson, sheriff of Tarrant County, Texas, said he had no immediate information on Tonya Couch’s return. The pair fled south of the border while Texas prosecutors investigated if Ethan had violated his probation.
The mother of “affluenza” teen Ethan Couch appeared in court today in California after being detained by Mexican authorities.
Tonya Couch – the mother of Ethan Couch, known as the “affluenza teen” – will be returned to Texas to face a felony count against her.
Ethan Couch is still in Mexico; when he returns to the United States depends in large part on whether he decides to contest his deportation.
Ethan Couch was driving drunk and speeding near Fort Worth in June 2013 when he crashed into a disabled SUV, killing four people and injuring several others, including passengers in his pickup truck.
Both Couchs were arrested last week in Mexico’s Pacific Coast resort of Puerto Vallarta.
Tapia II ordered Tonya Couch, 38, to be held without bail in a Los Angeles County jail while she waits to be picked up by law enforcement officials from Texas.
She will now be sent back to Texas to face charges of aiding her fugitive son. Sources have told ABC News that she is expected to be transported to Texas this week. Benitez said he was hired to represent Ethan in Mexico, but didn’t say who hired him. A psychologist who testified for his defense mentioned “affluenza,” and suggested that the teen’s wealthy upbringing contributed to his irresponsible choices. The condition is not recognized as a medical diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association, and its invocation drew ridicule.
“It would be a tough sell for the U.S.to tell Mexico, ‘you know what, this man was tried as a juvenile, pled guilty, was handed down his sentence and now five years later we don’t think the sentence is fair and we want to retry him as an adult, ‘ ” Benítez said.
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She has been wearing the same clothes since she was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals on Wednesday and has only had one shower.
