Criminal Charges In Balloon Boy CaseOfficials confirm charges are soon be filed in the case of the 6-year-old boy only to be found safe at home, after setting in motion a frantic search when it was feared he was inside a wayward helium balloon.
Charges are being prepared by the Larimer County Sherrif’s department over the much publicized incident, even though amateur scientist and inventor, Richard Heene, who is the boy’s father denies speculation the incident was a publicity stunt.
Heene’s homemade helium balloon breaking free, drifted for hours thousands of feet above Colorado, as a massive search-and-rescue operation and media frenzy ensued.
Speaking to reporters at a CNN televised news conference, Sheriff Jim Alderden said criminal charges would be filed in respect to this incident, with his department preparing search warrants, though the initial charges was likely to be one for misdemeanor, though given the circumstances the misdemeanor charge hardly seem serious. He also informed the reporters of his department being in contact with federal authorities, which could mean a possibility of additional federal charges.
The Sheriff’s officials questioned both Heene and his wife Mayumi on Saturday, as after the boy, Falcon appearing on CNN’s ‘Larry King Live’ said he had stayed ‘hidden for the show’, fuelling speculation whether the entire ordeal was an elaborate hoax staged by the family, who had participated in a reality show on television and were known to be storm chasers.
However, Heene reiterated Saturday it was not a publicity stunt and invited the media to his home saying he had a major announcement, only to request reporters to put their written question in a box, to be addressed later. Asked if this was a publicity stunt of some sort, Heene said: ‘Absolutely no hoax.’
Falcon’s older brother reported seeing the boy climb into a compartment attached to the balloon, however, he was discovered hiding in a box in the attic above the family’s garage.
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