5 things to know about the arrest of 'affluenza' teen Ethan Couch

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — Ethan Couch and his mother, Tonya Couch, were detained by authorities Monday night.

A manhunt ensued for the "affluenza" teen when he went missing in early December after violating his 10-year probation for killing four people in a drunken driving incident in Texas in 2013. Authorities were alerted when the 18-year-old failed to report to his probation officer Dec. 10. Shortly before failing to report to the probation officer, a video surfaced that allegedly showed Couch at a party with alcohol, possibly playing beer pong, a violation of the terms of his probation.

Here's what you should know about the arrest:

1. The two were found in Mexico.

The Couches were detained by authorities in the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the Tarrant County Texas District Attorney's Office confirmed Monday around 6 p.m.

2. Mexican authorities have them in custody.

The mother and son will be turned over to American authorities. Once they return to the U.S., Ethan Couch will appear in front of a juvenile judge and Tanya Couch could be charged withhindering an apprehension and aiding and abetting. If found guilty, Tanya Couch, 48, will serve time in an American jail.

3. Multiple units aided in the search for Ethan Couch.

Initially, local authorities launched a search for Couch when a warrant was issued for his arrest after he disappeared. Shortly thereafter, the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service joined in the search.

On Dec.17, Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson said this: "You can run, but you're always going to be looking over your shoulder. We're not going to give up. We're going to come after you. We're going to find you, wherever you are."

4. The teen was said to have had a going-away party before fleeing.

At a news conference Tuesday morning, Anderson said the mother and son may have celebrated in some way "akin to a going-away party" before heading to Mexico.

5. Ethan Couch may be tried as an adult.

According to Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson, officials will aim to have Ethan Couch's juvenile sentence revoked and to try him as an adult. If his juvenile sentence is upheld, he will serve four months in confinement and will be released on his 19th birthday in April.

Cox Media Group