Balloon hoax duo may face jail

THE Colorado parents accused of pulling a spectacular hoax by reporting their son was aboard a runaway balloon have pleaded guilty to charges that could bring some jail time and probation.

Richard Heene pleaded guilty to knowingly and falsely influencing Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden, a felony. Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty to knowingly filing a false report with emergency services, a misdemeanour.

Heene told judge Stephen Schapanski he understood he could have to pay restitution for the costs incurred by public agencies. Local and federal authorities spent $62,000 pursuing the balloon and searching for six-year-old Falcon after it landed.