Should the Heenes go to jail, lose custody if charges prove true?
Richard and Mayumi Heene, the parents who set off a nationally televised crisis by reporting their 6-year-old son was inside a flying saucer-like helium balloon, will likely be charged with several crimes now that authorities believe the stunt was a hoax.
If the charges prove true, the judge should throw the book at this irresponsible, fame-seeking couple. The public needs to see there are serious consquences for making these sorts of false reports. What if the next time a true emergency is reported, the authorities are doubtful?
According to news reports, the local sheriff said he expected to recommend charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant.
Some of the most serious charges each carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
I became a bit suspicious of the story when I read that Heene, a self-described storm chaser and inventor, and his family have appeared on the reality show “Wife Swap.” The couple apparently met in acting school in Hollywood, according to news reports. And Richard Heene has only a high school education.
This part of the story sounds the most disturbing:
Alderden was asked whether officials had concerns for Falcon’s safety after the child’s comment on CNN that raised doubts for investigators. The boy turned to his dad during the interview Thursday night and said what sounded like “you said we did this for a show” when asked why he didn’t come out of his hiding place.On Friday, Falcon got sick during two separate TV interviews Friday when asked again why he hid. “Clearly, from all indications, Mr. Heene has somewhat of a temper,” Alderden said. Alderden said officials tried Saturday to persuade Mayumi Heene to go to a safe house, but she declined.
“We have a concern, but we didn’t have enough that would allow us or child protective services to physically take the kids from that environment.”
I hope child protective services are keeping a close eye on those children, especially that poor six-year-old boy. Enough with the obsession with fame at any costs. There is always a cost.
Aisha covered education and breaking news for nearly ten years before joining the Lifestyle staff where she writes a "Dirty Laundry" parenting column. She is the home and family editor and wastes too much time on Facebook and political blogs. 
They should be severely punished and the fines collected given to Wall Street, Bankers or the Federal Reserve to reward them for their efforts. If this sort of thing isn’t prevented, in the future it could lead to terrorism and we’d end up having to invade another country that isn’t the slightest threat to the United States.
If they are punished where will my entertainment come from ?
Free Falcon!
Do they have health care?
If the media ignored them they would go away…. but… that would be no fun.
Who cares about the stupid balloon crap…. These two parents drive into tornados—WITH THEIR 3 KIDS—-Thats flat out child endangerment. Dad seems to care far more for his ego and trying to get hires by NASA to care that he is risking the lives of his own kids!!!! Pathetic!!!! And mom? Well shes just some mindless idiot who doesnt have a thought in her head unless Mr. says so. Take the kids away….PERIOD!!!!
After the two parents openly volunteered how they parent their children on national TV through the wife swap reality show, yes, I think the kids should be placed in foster care, the mother’s tubes tied, and both parents sent to prison for a minimum of 30 years and barred from ever having the ability to have and/or adopt children.
They should be punished with the max allowed by the law, and they should be forced to pay for all of the expenses incurred by the emergency responders, and law enforcement.
From what I have read about this incident, the hoax was set-up by Richard Heene and a friend of his. There was no indication that his wife was involved in the set-up of the hoax and may have been just as worried about the safety of her son as the rest of the nation while we waited for him to be found.
If that is true, then SHE should not do any time and she should not necessarily lose access to her children, either.
Richard, on the other hand, should do the full time for whatever crimes he is eventually found guilty. And he should pay the full fine. AND he should be responsible for paying back the tax payers all the money spent while law enforcement chased that balloon down.
Hit them where it hurts; the pocket book.
Let Patty Hearst raise Falcon. She can relate to Stockholm Syndrome!