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[h=4]'Affluenza' teen's mom complains about cell[/h]Tonya Couch was formally arraigned on charges of hindering apprehension of a fugitive.
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The mother of a fugitive teen who used an "affluenza" defense after killing four people in a drunken-driving wreck has made an initial appearance in a Texas courtroom on a charge of hindering the apprehension of a felon. (Jan. 8) AP
Tonya Couch appears in court in Fort Worth on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. The mother of Ethan Couch, who used an "affluenza" defense after killing people in a drunken-driving wreck, appeared in court on a charge of hindering the apprehension of a felon.(Photo: Rodger Mallison, AP)
FORT WORTH<span style="color: Red;">*</span>— The mother of a Texas teen<span style="color: Red;">*</span>—<span style="color: Red;">*</span>known for his "affluenza" defense after he was<span style="color: Red;">*</span>given probation for killing four people<span style="color: Red;">*</span>in a 2013 drunken-driving crash<span style="color: Red;">*</span>— made her first court appearance Friday.
Tonya Couch and her son, Ethan, were arrested in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, last week. She returned to Texas on Thursday after being extradited to Los Angeles.
Authorities say Tonya Couch<span style="color: Red;">*</span>helped her son flee<span style="color: Red;">*</span>to Mexico<span style="color: Red;">*</span>after<span style="color: Red;">*</span>video surfaced that showed<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Ethan, 18, at a party where alcohol was served. Drinking alcohol violates the terms of his probation.
Ethan Couch had been missing officially since Dec. 10 when he failed to show up for a mandatory meeting with his probation officer. However, Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson said he believed that Couch actually fled in late November with his mother.
USA TODAY
Mom of 'affluenza' teen returns to Texas
Couch, 48, who appeared in a yellow jail jumpsuit Friday,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>was arraigned on a charge of hindering apprehension of a fugitive. She told the judge she understood the charges against her.
Her bond is set at $1 million; a bond reduction hearing is set for Monday.
After the arraignment, which lasted less than 10 minutes, Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson said that Couch has complained about jail conditions, saying it was too bright to sleep.
Anderson said he told her, "It's a jail, not a resort."
USA TODAY
Mom of 'affluenza' teen says she'll return to Texas
Couch was taken to Tarrant County Jail upon her return to Texas. It is the county's newest jail.
A father of one of the victims injured in Ethan Couch's drunken-driving crash was in court Friday for the hearing.
Kevin McConnell's son, Luke, was injured in the crash and McConnell's close friend, youth pastor Brian Jennings was killed.
McConnell said he wanted to be in court as a physical representation for all the victims.
?In June 2013, Ethan Couch, then living in the Fort Worth suburb of Burleson, was driving drunk and speeding on a dark two-lane road south of the city when he crashed into a disabled SUV off to the side, killing four people and injuring several others, including passengers in the then-16-year-old's pickup.
He pleaded guilty to four counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury. Because of his age — he was 16<span style="color: Red;">*</span>—<span style="color: Red;">*</span>he wasn't certified as an adult for trial and a judge sentenced him in juvenile court to 10 years' probation and a stint in a rehabilitation center.
Ethan Couch's case made global headlines when his lawyers argued at his trial<span style="color: Red;">*</span>that he suffered from “affluenza” —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>where he behaved poorly due to irresponsible rearing from his well-to-do parents. A judge sentenced him to 10 years probation, instead of the lengthy prison sentence sought by prosecutors.
On Friday, District Judge Wayne Salvant said that if Tonya<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Couch does make bond, she will have many restrictions, including wearing a GPS monitor.
The hindering apprehension charge is a third-degree felony. If convicted, she could face two to 10 years in prison.
Ethan Couch remains in Mexico where attorneys there are fighting to prevent his extradition.
Contributing: Rick Jervis, USA TODAY;Todd Unger?, Lauren Zakalik and Jordan Armstrong, WFAA-TV,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Dallas-Fort Worth; The Associated Press.
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