(CNN) — Authorities in Colorado say criminal charges are expected to be filed against Richard Heene, a storm-chasing father whose giant Mylar balloon ascended into the sky earlier this week, sparking fears that his 6-year-old was aboard. “We do anticipate at some point in the future, there will be some criminal charges filed with regards to this incident,” Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said.
The saga captured the nation’s attention early Thursday afternoon, after authorities reported the family’s homemade helium balloon was set adrift, apparently with young Falcon Heene inside. Since then, speculation has mounted over whether the incident was a hoax by the father, who has appeared with his family on ABC’s “Wife Swap,” and posted videos of storm chasing and other activities online. Earlier Saturday, in an impromptu press conference outside his home, Heene told reporters the runaway balloon incident was “absolutely no hoax.”
The incident prompted a widespread search in northern Colorado that included law enforcement from several counties, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Colorado National Guard. It ended when Falcon climbed down from the attic above the garage at the family’s Fort Collins, Colorado, home. If the incident was a hoax, the only charge local authorities could press would be making a false report to authorities — a Class 3 misdemeanor, Alderden told reporters Saturday. However, a misdemeanor “hardly seems serious enough given the circumstances,” the sheriff said.
“We certainly want to talk to FAA officials and federal officials to see if perhaps there aren’t additional federal charges that would be more appropriate in the circumstances than what we’re able to do locally,” he said. Earlier Saturday, Heene emerged from his house and offered a cardboard box for the media to submit questions.
UPDATE: Sherrif claims balloon chase a hoax.
So what do DU readers think? Was this a not so clever hoax… or just a precocious 6 year pulling a prank. If it’s a hoax… what would be the appropriate penalty?
A quick judgement and substantial fine with community service and get these crazy fcks off the tele.
The kids statements were not “irrelevant”. The guilt of the parents was written all over the faces of the kids. Watch the faces of the other two boys when the littlest one says they “did it for the show”, their eyes bug out and look at their parents with a look of “oh no, he wasn’t supposed to say that, what are mom and dad going to do now”. Wolf got it out of them, people can learn from his technique. It was so easy to see the lying in the parents too. Glad to hear they will face felony charges.
If this balloon really was capable of lifting a six year old, to an altitude of 7000 feet. Then by all practical definitions, it’s a manned aircraft. And certain federal rules very likely apply for it operation and use. And some serious rules and regulations were violated, by allowing it to break free, possibly with someone aboard. Hit Mr. Heene with those charges, and I’ll bet he will then deny that it’s anything more than a simple balloon. That couldn’t lift squat! And that he knew this all along. But thought the stunt would get him back in the limelight (on Tv).
Guilty as charged! #10 is right, make them pay for all the expenses incurred in the search.