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

[rabidstoat]

Charges recommended were: Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (class 4 felony), false reporting to authorities (class 3 misdemeanor), attempting to influence a public servant (class 4 felony). The sheriff did mention 'conspiracy', but in the Q&A clarified that the conspiracy was that two or more people were involved in the above offenses.

He specifically mentioned that "endangering public transportation" was not something they could prove by the letter of the law, even though Denver Airport was shut down. They don't have enough evidence to prove that offense. But they're still going to meet with the FAA and FBI to see if there's something else that can be charged. No immediate timeline on arrests, though.

On the matter of restitution, the sheriff said that if the criminal charges were accepted, they'd definitely be looking into that and are trying to come up with some figures across various agencies even now.

During the Q&A he said that CPS would be doing an investigation, but kids were still with their parents for now.

Sheriff also said that his emphatic statement earlier that it wasn't a hoax was because he wanted to keep on the family's good side, to keep access to them, and apologized for misleading the media. He also said that some 'trusted media' knew about this, that the police were skeptical but trying to keep it on the down-low for the moment.

Oh, and apparently they're looking for co-conspirators, as others have said, even amongst the media. That sounds bizarre! I know there's that guy with the blog mentioned above, who said he helped. Who knows!

 

[jjenny]

I thought it was 3 felonies? Anyhoo.....I am hoping because it involved FAA when the FBI gets involved he'll have a few federal charges too.

I think only two felonies-influencing a public servant and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

 

[Linda7NJ]

Mr Heene ...the "scientist" only has a high school education

 

[Dee10]

Didn't surprise me though that there was a previous 911 crank call supposedly be one of the boys, but also a domestic violence call. No charges were filed.

 

[Linda7NJ]

I think only two felonies-influencing a public servant and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

and endangering the welfare of a minor. ?

 

[jjenny]

and endangering the welfare of a minor. ?

No, the sheriff didn't mention that one. The minor was not actually endangered. They didn't actually stick him in the balloon.

 

[BuzzieCat]

Tacked together with duct tape and string.

 

[Linda7NJ]

No, the sheriff didn't mention that one. The minor was not actually endangered. They didn't actually stick him in the balloon.

Conspiracy? I could have sworn I heard him say 3 felonies...

 

[jjenny]

I don't see this posted- the investigators believe this hoax was planned for about two weeks, and the tape of balloon take off was a part of the hoax.
At first the investigators did find the reaction of the family believable, but now they believe this was because the mother and father are in fact actors and met in acting school in CA. The investigators became suspicious when the boy said on LKL "we did this for a show."

 

[Lexiintoronto]

If those kids have to show up at school tomorrow... yikes.

From the little I've seen of the kids on youtube clips, I think they're more likely to bully than to be the victims of bullies - and it's entirely the fault of the parents who encourage their bad behaviour. (One kid starts yelling and hitting his brother because he wants the whipped cream container he's holding - and neither the mother or father step in. They continue taping) I think the kids are innocent victims here and they need structure and guidance.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

It is disgraceful that valuable resources were drained for a 'HOAX' in this post 911 country that is in a recession. I guess people are going to extremes, eh?

If these allegations are true, I hope they hit them where it hurts, in the pocketbook, IMO.

Good for Falcon for outing them. I think they kept feeding him so he would keep his mouth full and couldn't speak. Exploitation of a child is serious. I hope they toss em in jail for awhile an maybe they'll return to reality. The kids should have counseling, IMO!

This is all MOO.

wm

 

[Dee10]

Video - Balloon Boy on GMA & Today Show
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/16/falcon-heene-vomits-ballo_n_323428.html

 

[angeleleven]

Conspiracy? I could have sworn I heard him say 3 felonies...

He did say at least 3 felonies.

 

[kant]

No, the sheriff didn't mention that one. The minor was not actually endangered. They didn't actually stick him in the balloon.

Did the thinng not have high voltage like Richard claimed? (IDK - just asking)

tia

 

[Patty G]

I am uploading the News Conference now and the videos showed be available within the hour.

 

[Lexiintoronto]

Tacked together with duct tape and string.

OT, but duct tape never ceases to amaze me...

 

[jjenny]

He did say at least 3 felonies.

Is conspiracy a felony? The sheriff did talk about the conspiracy between the mother and the father. Are they planning to charge them with conspiracy?

 

[MysteryAddict]

My hope is that they throw the book at both parents! I do not agree that the
wife is acting in fear of her husband, but conspiring along with him.
It's hard to believe that a controlling, jealous husband would have gone for the idea of the "wife swap" show.
They met in acting school and in their scheme to seek fame, they've taught
their children to lie and break the law!
They act like it was all a big joke. Well, it wasn't funny at all! It's just a miracle
that no one was injured trying to rescue the boy that wasn't in the balloon!
In my opinion this hoax deserves severe punishment!

 

[kant]

Do we know if the kid was told to stay in a box for five hours or did I read that wrong? That alone sounds abusive to me... among other things.

 

[Linda7NJ]

It is disgraceful that valuable resources were drained for a 'HOAX' in this post 911 country that is in a recession. I guess people are going to extremes, eh?

If these allegations are true, I hope they hit them where it hurts, in the pocketbook, IMO.

Good for Falcon for outing them. I think they kept feeding him so he would keep his mouth full and couldn't speak. Exploitation of a child is serious. I hope they toss em in jail for awhile an maybe they'll return to reality. The kids should have counseling, IMO!

This is all MOO.

wm

Oh I can see "Dr". Phil all over this.............rofl