"Balloon" Boy's Parents To Plead Guilty

The Colorado parents who apparently orchestrated a massive hoax involving a runaway helium balloon and their young son last month will plead guilty to charges, according to their lawyer. A statement from lawyer David Lane said, "Richard and Mayumi Heene will enter pleas of guilty in Larimer County Court.... Mayumi Heene will plead guilty to False Reporting to Authorities, a class 3 misdemeanor (the lowest level misdemeanor in Colorado law) with a stipulated sentence of probation. Richard Heene will plead guilty to Attempting to Influence a Public Servant, a class 4 felony. The prosecutor has stipulated to a sentence of probation."

News that a young boy was trapped in a runaway balloon over Colorado gripped the world—but it turned out little Falcon Heene was hiding in his family's garage (and in a box) all along. During an interview with CNN, Falcon said to his parents, "You guys said that we did this for a show," prompting an investigation and strong words from law enforcement, who said the Heenes, already fan favorites from the ABC reality show Wife Swap, had been angling for a reality program and saw the balloon hoax as a publicity stunt.

There may be jail time of up to 90 days for Richard Heene and up to 60 days for Mayumi Heene as well as probation. Lane added, "It is supremely ironic that law enforcement has expressed such grave concern over the welfare of the children, but it was ultimately the threat of taking the children’s mother from the family and deporting her to Japan which fueled this deal. Threatening to stretch what is essentially a low level misdemeanor into a felony prosecution followed by deportation upon conviction simply to make a point shows a complete and utter disregard for the true best interests of these children."

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By Jen Chung in News on November 12, 2009 11:46 AM

Comments [rss]

pudeljung

I hope she is not deported, but I hope the risk of almost being deported and losing her family wakes her up to what an asshole she is married to, so she'll leave his shit ass.

interlard

"...gripped the world"? I doubt it. The senseless sh*t that goes on in this country while we ignore the important stuff that happens elsewhere. I think "the world" has better things to do.

Anyway, I didn't know about the stupid little turd until they found him, and I live here.

krinkle cut fires

Is it a requirement that anything reported on ANIMAL be posted on Gothamist and hour later?

ANGRYGOD11

Mayumi Heene is another type of idiot.

If you are a Japanese citizen married to an American, living in Colorado with your American children, BECOME an American citizen. Unless you were a Nazi WW2 concentration camp guard, you will never face deportation.

Yes, loving mothers married to American citizens with American children are deported for trivial, nonviolent, victimless charges.

faprilano

what does this have to do with NY?

jplancaster

They absolutely should have to pay for the expenses. No different than if you call the police or fire department and they bill you if there was no need.

hotstepper

money aside, the parents are obviously unhinged...so we just leave the kids in their care? don't be surprised when that little bastard Falcon soars into the stratosphere for reals.

S.D.

"What's this have to do with NY!?!?!?"

Just thought I'd beat the naysayers to it...

I'm glad it's over, the parents got waaaayyy too much publicity.

CR

On what grounds would they be able to deport her?

marcasm

For committing a felony.

marcasm

Do they have to repay any of the money spent by law enforcement agencies that chased the empty balloon ?

flynn110

in my opinion they should have to pay for all the emergency services the state had to use for this search including helicopters, etc.

hit them where it hurts. the wallet