INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

‘Affluenza’ Mom Tonya Couch Remains In Jail After Morning Hearing

By Amy Feinstein
Published on: 04:51 PST, Jan 8, 2016

Clad in a bright yellow prison jumpsuit, Tonya Couch, mother of affluenza teen Ethan Couch, appeared in court today to determine whether or not she will stay behind bars. Couch appeared miserable as she answered the judge’s questions about the whereabouts of her passport. Her attorney also asked if her million-dollar bail could be reduced, hinting at the idea that what was thought to be endless funds could be running low.

According to the Inquisitr, Tonya Couch was flown last night from Los Angeles back to Texas to appear before a judge to find out what will happen after fleeing the country with her delinquent son. Couch insists she has done nothing wrong, despite being found in Puerto Villarta with Ethan Couch, who ran after violating probation in the manslaughter deaths of four people and the injury of more after drunk and drugged driving. The indulgent mother will remain in a Texas jail at least over the weekend.

ABC News reported that Tonya Couch appeared in a Ft. Worth court this morning but has not yet entered a plea. She claims she has hired a lawyer. As her lawyer wants her bail reduced, they have scheduled another hearing for Monday. The judge asked that she surrender her passport, but she said her temporary passport was seized in Mexico, so she does not currently have one in her possession.

The judge said if Tonya Couch is released on bail, she will have to wear an ankle monitor and turn in a passport, which will be difficult if the Mexican authorities have it.

WFAA quoted Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson in response to Tonya Couch’s complaints that jail is unpleasant. It seems that Tonya Couch objects to the lighting and says she is having a hard time sleeping in jail.

“It’s jail, not a resort. Couch is confined in a single cell in the county’s newest jail.”

Family members of those who were killed or injured in the crash caused by Ethan Couch were also in court this morning to see Tonya Couch in her less-than-stylish yellow jumpsuit. The judge, who seemed unwilling to lower Couch’s bail, said there would be restrictions if she did make bail.

The New York Times claims that Tonya Couch is facing two to 10 years in prison for aiding and abetting Ethan Couch as he fled over the border to Mexico last month. The charges against Tonya Couch are all felonies. According to a court witness, Tonya Couch will remain in jail until Monday, when another hearing will take place.

“The judge said that if Ms. Couch was released on bond, he would set some conditions, such as requiring her to wear an ankle monitor. She was then led out of court. The charge is punishable by two to 10 years in prison.”

The Dallas News seems to find it comical that Tonya Couch is complaining about the accommodations of the jail. Couch’s lawyer, Stephanie Patten, missed the hearing this morning as she was stuck in traffic, but when she arrived, she said she was concerned that Couch spoke to the sheriff without legal representation.

“For law enforcement to go back there and ask questions, that’s a big problem,” Patten told the judge.

The judge seemed unmoved, but Patten kept complaining about Sheriff Dee Anderson to the press.

“When’s the last time you’ve seen a sheriff escort a 5-foot-4-inch, 110-pound woman from the airport?” she said. “I don’t think he’s had any contact with anyone who’s been arrested, ever.”

Do you think Tonya Couch will get released on bail on Monday?

[Photo by Rodger Mallison/AP]

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