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Fri, Dec 25, 2009

Balloon Boy's Father Going To Jail

Mom Will Serve Time Too, And The Pair May Not Capitalize On Their Stunt

We don't know how this ever must have seemed like a good idea. A prank to draw media attention that wound up costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars as various entities were scrambled to save what they thought was a six-year-old in a box slung under a homemade mylar balloon drifting above Colorado. The latest chapter of the "Balloon Boy" story has come to a close.

ABC News reports that 48-year-old Richard Heene has been sentenced to 30 days in jail, another 60 days on work-release where he'll return to jail each night, and four years probation. Heene triggered a frantic chase by rescuers October 15th when he said a runaway helium balloon might be carrying his youngest son.

His son later turned up hiding in a box in the attic over the family's garage, and Heene later admitted the whole thing was a hoax to promote a reality TV show.

Heene asked the court for leniency for his wife, Mayumi. She's been sentenced to 20 days community service. As a condition of their probation, the couple is prohibited from financial gain in connection with the so-called "Balloon Boy" hoax. The also face fines that could reach as high as $500,000. The Heenes will be allowed to spend the holidays together before beginning to serve their sentences.

FMI: www.larimer.org/courts/

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