Balloon scare parents to admit hoax

The parents of a six-year-old boy who was feared to have floated off in a flying saucer-shaped balloon in Colorado will plead guilty to some hoax charges to keep the family together.

Richard Heene, 48, will own up to the felony of attempting to influence a public servant, according to his lawyer David Lane. His 45-year-old wife Mayumi will plead guilty to the misdemeanour of false reporting to authorities.

The deal reached should see see the pair avoid prison, with prosecutors recommending probation sentences. In addition, it is unlikely that Mrs Heene – a Japanese citizen – will face deportation, a fate that would have awaited her if convicted of more serious charges.

Mr Lane said: “Upon reviewing the evidence, arguably Mayumi could have possibly ended up being deported and Richard could have proceeded to trial and had a good chance at an acquittal.

“This, however, would have put the family at grave risk of seeing a loving, caring, compassionate wife and mother ripped from the family and deported. That was not an acceptable risk, thus these pleas.”

More serious charges recommended by Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden could have seen jail sentences of a maximum of six years imposed.

Millions of TV viewers around the world were captivated by last month’s unfolding drama involving the so-called balloon boy.

Over the course of two hours on October 15, police rescue teams and the US National Guard tracked the airborne object under the belief that six-year-old Falcon Heene had crawled inside a compartment just before it became loose and took to the skies.

It travelled around 50 miles before floating to the ground at which point it was discovered that the youngster was not on board.

Fears that he may have fallen out shortly after take-off were allayed when he turned up a few hours later, apparently after hiding out because he thought his dad would be angry.

But suspicions were soon raised that the whole incident was an elaborate stunt.

In an interview with CNN, Falcon was asked why he did not come out of hiding, to which he looked at his father and said: “You said we did this for a show.”

It led to the re-questioning of his parents over the incident

Mr Heene has adamantly denied that it was a publicity stunt. But according to a search warrant affidavit, his wife admitted that it was a hoax.

Under marital privilege, her statement could not be used as evidence against Mr Heene.

Mr Lane added: “Unfortunately, the prosecutors insisted upon a package deal where Richard would have to fall on his sword and take a felony plea despite the fact that he made no incriminating statements to law enforcement and Mayumi’s statements could not be used against him.”