Heene Parents May Be Charged Sunday

FORT COLLINS – Theparents in the “Balloon Boy” controversy may be charged with a crime Sunday, according to Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden.He has scheduled al 11 a.m.news conference to provide more details.

Alderden announced Saturday that he would seek criminal charges against Richard Heene and possibly his wife, Mayumi. The sheriff also saidhe would consult with federal authorities about federal charges, because thethe county at most can charge the couple with making a false report–a misdemeanor. Alderdencalls the lesser charge “inappropriate” under the circumstances.

The saga beganThursday when their six-year-old son, Falcon, vanished into the rafters of his garage while the world thought he was zooming through the sky in a flying saucer-like helium balloon. Alderden has since been looking into speculation that the incident was a hoax.

Sheriff’s deputies searched the Heene’s home after serving a search warrant around 10 p.m. Sgt. Ian Stewart declined so say what they were after. Hours earlier, the Alderden announced that he was pursuing criminal charges in the case, but didn’t say who would be charged or what the charges would be.

NEWSCHANNEL 13 will let you know what happens in the 11 a.m. news conference.