CO - Richard & Mayumi Heene charged in Balloon Boy hoax, Fort Collins, 2009 - #1

[BuzzieCat]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091018/ap_on_re_us/us_balloon_boy
SNIP
"Deputies searched the home of the boy's parents Saturday night, carrying away several boxes and a computer."

 

[Openmind]

But he's becoming reknown as a mockery and a shyster, not as a tragic I-almost-lost-my-kid-poor-me victim sort of thing. It has a whole different connotation to it; but I do see your point.

And caught in the middle, as they always have been, are the kids. Dad is a fruitcake, mom seems to be nothing more than his sidekick -- either compliant or intimidated --and the kids are in the center of this whirlwind of attention. It seems their life has never been "normal' but this "Balloon Boy" tag will be haunt Falcon, and the other boys, forever. How do the boys go back to school on Monday and act life like this never happened? They are going to be the subject of so much ridicule.

I feel for the LE in this area that have been pulled into Heene's freakshow. I know the police chief would love for all the media trucks to pull up stakes and chase some other "hot" story.

Anyone that thinks they can control this kind of media attention is truly delusional -- which pretty much defines Heene.

 

[Quiche]

I wonder if the Heene's looked up the penalty, on their computer, for setting the damn thing loose?

 

[Trino]

I wonder if the Heene's looked up the penalty, on their computer, for setting the damn thing loose?

Most likely he has. Right now it's only a misdemeanor.

If more serious federal charges are able to be filed, do you think he would end up in jail? What would become of the family?

 

[nnglas]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091018/ap_on_re_us/us_balloon_boy
SNIP
"Deputies searched the home of the boy's parents Saturday night, carrying away several boxes and a computer."

Seems alot to do for just mis charges? Wouldn't like the FAA do their own investigation?

 

[Quiche]

Most likely he has. Right now it's only a misdemeanor.

If more serious federal charges are able to be filed, do you think he would end up in jail? What would become of the family?

I heard on HLN this morning that the misdemeanor charges could result in six months in jail and a $750 fine-- I'm sure federal charges would be more severe. I just hope those children have loving grandparents that are willing to step in to help. If not, I guess foster services may come down the pike...sad, but they should be able to be placed together, I would think.

I wonder if the Heene children will make it to school tomorrow? That will be another very hard day...kids can be merciless.

 

[Steely Dan]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/18/colorado.balloon.investigation/index.html

A dispatcher with the Larimer County Sheriff's Department declined to release any information about the search, but said the office will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. Calls to the department's spokeswoman were not immediately returned.

"We anticipate criminal charges will be filed sometime in the near future," Sheriff Jim Alderden told CNN late Saturday.

 

[mycroft]

Seems alot to do for just mis charges? Wouldn't like the FAA do their own investigation?

There is some Q&A about the legality of homemade balloons here:
http://www.slate.com/id/2232594/

Is it legal to pilot a homemade balloon? Sure. Anyone can construct and fly a homemade engineless aircraft that's less than 155 pounds without permission from the Federal Aviation Administration. You don't even need a pilot's license. The balloon that sailed across Colorado appeared to be extremely lightweight and would probably qualify....

Do you need permission to launch a balloon out of your backyard? Depends where you live. In rural areas that aren't close to any airports, you don't need permission to launch a balloon, as long as you stay below 18,000 feet. (Falcon Heene's balloon reached just 7,000 feet.) It gets more complicated the closer you get to cities and airports.

(Those are just snippets, the answers are longer.) I believe that the misdemeanor charges mentioned so far related only to the filing of the false report, which I assume refers to the fact that they knew the boy was not in there.

 

[Steely Dan]

New reality show idea!

Cell mate swap starring Richard Heene! :behindbar

 

[sniperacer]

I'm not sure about this, but I believe Richard called his mother and she gave him the money for the Hotel.

Impossible! If I remember correctly, I believe the Mom and Dad said they both are descendants of aliens.

What are the chances of two people meeting and both being descendants of aliens? Must have found each other on www.alienharmony.com

Pass the foil.....

 

[scandi]

Acc to FOX, presser in 20 min at the top of the hour. I did hear earlier on FOX the FAA has opened up a separate investigation and there is talk of restitution due to all the delays at the airport. We'll have to see what they say at this point. xox

 

[Dave AHFB]

any links to PC?

 

[chemcopout]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091018/ap_on_re_us/us_balloon_boy

"Authorities questioned the Heenes again after Falcon turned to his dad during a CNN interview Thursday night and said "you said we did this for a show" when asked why he didn't come out of his hiding place.

Falcon got sick during two separate TV interviews Friday when asked again why he hid."

what do they mean by falcon got sick during 2 serperate tv interviews? did he throw up from nerves or something?

i think they should smack the dad with as many charges as they can. they used a lot of manpower for that stupid hoax.
it seems some of these reality tv stars can't get enough publicity after their shows are over and end up getting in trouble for going over the edge.

 

[ATWC66]

Hey ATW, I thought you carried the thread along very nicely ;}

Thank You

 

[Dave AHFB]

he threw up on both ABC and NBC

 

[octobermoon]

Live link here?

http://www.kdvr.com/

 

[ATWC66]

Originally Posted by ATWC66 View Post
You can quickly see the belt is on Mom too. Then it shifts back to the neighbor.

Kids were NOT with them, they were back at the house with a sheriffs official.

Actually we are both correct in this case. Tom'sGirl and I happened to be watching a live feed from the news station, as they were getting a story ready for their news, Where the video tape was showing a reporter asking Richard questions inside a neighbors house. Then the tape speed up and showed the family (kids included) running to the van and taking off to the Hotel room.
Of which the nice BIG man stated "she", meaning neighbor was paying for the hotel room for the night.

 

[Amster]

Fox News....presser starting

 

[Amster]

HOAX!! Publicity stunt!!!

 

[Amster]

Wanted a TV reality show....:furious: