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FORT WORTH, Texas - The mother of affluenza teen Ethan Couch can start looking for a job after changes were made to her bond restrictions on Monday morning.
The hearing in a Fort Worth courtroom was to help determine if Tonya Couch’s attorneys can work out a plea bargain for her. But it was very brief because the lawyers on both sides agreed they need more time to investigate the case.
The judge did agree to slightly relax Tonya’s bond conditions and adjust her curfew so she can look for a job. She'll continue to wear hear ankle monitor, though.
“Curfew requirement right now is that she has to stay at home unless she’s looking for a job or she’s coming to her lawyer’s office. She’s reporting to the court through the probation department. She can’t go where she wants to go when she wants to go,” said Don Carter, her attorney.
Tonya was indicted for fleeing to Mexico with her son last year after he was seen on video violating his probation. She’s charged with hindering the apprehension of a felon and money laundering.
Ethan, 19, killed four people and injured others in a drunken driving crash in Fort Worth in 2013. He was 16 years old at the time.
He’s still serving his controversial 10-year probation sentence that he got in juvenile court and the adult court sentenced him to two years in jail for violating his probation.
Tonya’s attorney said he does expect her case to go to trial eventually.