SO GLAD these two were found. I watched the
20/20 episode on Ethan recently, and was horrified because I hadn't known all the details of the crash, how bad it was. My goodness. One stranded driver and three good samaritans, killed in the blink of an eye. One passenger in Ethan's truck completely, permanently paralyzed -- can only communicate through blinking. Many others traumatized and changed for life. And he's never apologized. Nor have his parents. They've settled every suit with cold hard cash, and NO ADMITTANCE OF GUILT. Appalling.
It's worth a watch if you haven't seen it. But it may upset/enrage you.
https://youtu.be/Lx6q1F3bhYo
The
D Magazine article is chock full of examples of the Couches' horrible parenting. Wow.
Let's see:
- Dad was pulled over for DUI in 1992 and told the officer I make more in a day than you make in a year. (this part of the deposition is shown on 20/20)
- Mom was charged with reckless driving for running a car off the road at some point (no year noted)
- Mom allegedly had/has a pill addiction and had given Vicodin to 9 yo Ethan
- Mom referred to 9 yo Ethan as her protector and shared a bedroom with him
- Dad has a short fuse and was allegedly verbally and physically abusive to Mom, often in front of Ethan
- LE called to house frequently for domestic disturbance
- Dad punched someone at a construction site once (curious about the details)
- After the divorce, neither parent followed court-mandated visitation schedules
- Mom and Dad had a highly contentious relationship, and young Ethan felt caught in the middle
- Dad let 13 yo Ethan drive himself to private school, then removed Ethan from said school when the founder expressed concern about it. Said "Ethan doesn't need college anyway" (because the school's focus is on early college enrollment)
- When Dad (supposedly) tried to punish Ethan by taking away possessions (including his truck) or privileges, Mom would give them back and/or let Ethan borrow her truck
- Dad found 14 yo Ethan passed out drunk one 4th of July, his main reaction was annoyance that Ethan wouldn't be able to shoot off fireworks with him
- Mom and Dad allowed 16 yo Ethan to stay/live alone and unsupervised at the Burleson house
- Mom covered for Ethan after his Feb 2013 run-in with LE in multiple ways: lied to Dad, paid Ethans fines and court fees, and when he didnt complete the required alcohol awareness class and community service hours, she said it was her fault, that shed misread the online thing.
- Mom and Dad sent Ethan to a posh, luxurious rehab program in California after the crash, then pulled him out early against doctor's advice
Aye yi yi. Both Ethan and Mom need to do jail time, IMO. Please, please don't let them buy their way out this time...
![Stick Out Tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
lease: