Authorities to Charge Balloon Boy Father
source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/17/colorado.balloon.boy/index.html
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(CNN) -- Authorities in Colorado say criminal charges are expected to be filed against Richard Heene, a storm-chasing father whose giant Mylar balloon ascended into the sky earlier this week, sparking fears that his 6-year-old was aboard.
"We do anticipate at some point in the future, there will be some criminal charges filed with regards to this incident," Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said.
"What those charges may be, as I stated yesterday, what we we're looking at is Class 3 misdemeanor, which hardly seems serious enough given the circumstances," he said.
The saga captured the nation's attention early Thursday afternoon, after authorities reported the family's homemade helium balloon was set adrift, apparently with young Falcon Heene inside.
Rescuers from several counties followed the silver, saucer-like vessel as it raced across the Colorado sky until it made a soft landing some 90 minutes later in a field 90 miles away.
The boy later came down from an attic above the family's garage. Video Watch the latest on Colorado balloon family »
Alderden said the department wanted to consult federal officials to see if more serious charges may apply.
"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."
Alderden said Heene and his wife came in Saturday voluntarily for police interviews.
"We do anticipate at some point in the future, there will be some criminal charges filed with regards to this incident," Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said.
"What those charges may be, as I stated yesterday, what we we're looking at is Class 3 misdemeanor, which hardly seems serious enough given the circumstances," he said.
The saga captured the nation's attention early Thursday afternoon, after authorities reported the family's homemade helium balloon was set adrift, apparently with young Falcon Heene inside.
Rescuers from several counties followed the silver, saucer-like vessel as it raced across the Colorado sky until it made a soft landing some 90 minutes later in a field 90 miles away.
The boy later came down from an attic above the family's garage. Video Watch the latest on Colorado balloon family »
Alderden said the department wanted to consult federal officials to see if more serious charges may apply.
"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."
Alderden said Heene and his wife came in Saturday voluntarily for police interviews.
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