Colorado authorities say they will likely file criminal charges against Richard Heene, the father who’s son was feared to be inside a flying saucer-shaped Mylar balloon that floated away from the family’s backyard on Thursday, prompting a widespread search in Colorado that included law enforcement, the FAA and the National Guard.
After a second interview on Saturday with the Heene family, Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden has apparently had a change of heart about the infamous balloon boy incident.
On Friday, Aldernen said he was “convinced” it was not a hoax when Richard and Mayumi Heene called officials on Thursday, to report their 6-year-old son Falcon had floated away in a giant balloon.
The sheriff now says charges will “likely be filed” against one or both parents. Although he wouldn’t elaborate on why he changed his mind, he added that he will be checking with federal officials to see if they will be filing charges as well.
The only charges that can be placed by local authorities are misdemeanor charges for making a false report.
A misdemeanor “hardly seems serious enough given the circumstances,” the sheriff said.
“We certainly want to talk to FAA officials and federal officials to see if perhaps there aren’t additional federal charges that would be more appropriate in the circumstances than what we’re able to do locally,” he said.
Further details are expected to be disclosed on Sunday.
Speculation began to mount that the “balloon boy” incident was a hoax, when Falcon responded to a question on Larry King Live about why he hadn’t come out from hiding when his parents were calling for him.
“You guys said we did this for the show,” the boy said. (Watch interview video)
Sheriff Alderden discusses balloon boy charges in the video below: