Sheriff: Charges Imminent in Balloon Boy Case
Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Criminal charges will likely be filed in the case of the Colorado "balloon boy," in which 6-year-old-son Falcon Heene was feared to have floated away on a "homemade flying saucer" Oct. 15 only to be found hiding in his attic.
Deputies showed up at the home of the boy's parents Saturday, carrying away several boxes and a computer.
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His parents, former Wife Swap stars Richard and Mayumi Heene, also met with Larimer County investigators Saturday afternoon as speculation grows that they orchestrated a publicity stunt. Both parents - known storm chasers who pitched a reality show to TLC months ago - deny the incident was a hoax.
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Sheriff Jim Alderden - who won't say who would be charged - told reporters: "We were looking at Class 3 misdemeanor, which hardly seems serious enough given the circumstances. We are talking to the district attorney, federal officials to see if perhaps there aren't additional federal charges that are appropriate in this circumstance."
Asked if it was hoax, Alderden said, "We have made progress and you guys can read between the lines about what we found."
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10I do not believe this was a hoax. When the boy said "You guys said we did this for the show," I believe he was referring to the media's claims that it was made up, not to the father. I would like to see what proof the sheriff has to prosecute, other than some confused words from a sick and distraught little boy. This family may be odd, but that's no reason to vilify them and there's certainly no proof to prosecute an innocent father.
How awful that they used their sweet little boy to do this :( What they put him through is horrible! I hope that this family is required by the court to seek family therapy in addition to any charges filed so that their children are never again subjected to something like this.
Hope for the family sake everyone works together for the betterment of the children and parents.
Hope for the family sake everyone works together for the betterment of the children and parents.
Hope for the family sake everyone works together for the betterment of the children and parents.
THIS WHOLE FAMILY IS NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OF COURSE THIS WAS A SCAM. IF YOU WATCHED ANY OF THE WIFE SWAP SHOWS YOU WOULD KNOW THIS WAS A SCAM.
I don't think it was a set up. The kid is 6 years old, how many kids can sit in one place like an attic for two hours, not much.
Maybe that sheriff should make sure dad is well 'tethered' Dad might be looking for a place to hide....
Remember Balloon Man from 1982? He tied balloons to a lawnchair and floated around California...and he had to pay FAA fines. Check out Science & Nature Examiner
What a terrible thing for these people to put those rescuers through. I think a misdemeanor is no where near punishment enough.