Texas 'Affluenza' Teen on Run for Probation Violation

The Texas teenager involved in the infamous "affluenza" case, which drew nationwide attention two years ago, has gone missing, a district attorney's spokesperson said Tuesday.

The New York Times reports that a manhunt has ensued for the 18-year-old Ethan Couch, who disappeared with his mother shortly before a hearing that could have resulted in prison time for the now adult offender.

According to spokeswoman Samantha Jordan of the district attorney's office in Texas' Tarrant County, Couch didn't check in with his probation officer on Dec. 10 as scheduled. It wasn't until Dec. 15 that the office was made aware of the teen's disappearance.

Authorities found Couch's home cleared out and his mother's vehicle missing. The sheriff's office later posted pictures of the vehicle's license plate to Facebook.

In 2013, Couch was charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury. The teen had been drunk driving on a two-lane road in Fort Worth when he crashed into a disabled SUV.

Four people were killed in the accident. One of the occupants in Couch's vehicle, Sergio Molina, sustained permanent brain damage. He is no longer able to walk or speak.

A judge sentenced Couch to 10 years probation, prompted by a defense expert's argument that the teen suffered from the contrived condition "affluenza" as a result of being spoiled and coddled by his privileged upbringing.

Couch came back under the media spotlight when a video emerged this month of the teen playing drinking games, a clear violation of his probation. Authorities believe this may have motivated the teen and his mother to run.

"With the amount of money the family has, obviously they have the means to kind of stay off the radar if they want to," sheriff's office spokeswoman Jordan said.

A $5,000 reward is being offered for Couch's recapture.