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Richard (R) and Mayumi Heene arrive at Larimer County district court for their sentencing hearing in Fort Collins, Colorado - Source: Reuters -
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The Colorado man who sparked a mass rescue effort and riveted the media with a bogus claim that his son floated away in a helium balloon was sentenced to 90 days in jail, most of that on a work-release basis.
But the boy's mother was spared from serving any jail time for her part in the hoax, sentenced instead to 20 days of supervised public service.
Richard and Mayumi Heene also were each placed on probation for four years and face thousands of dollars in fines and restitution that will be calculated later.
Their sentencing capped a two-month legal saga that began with what authorities said was a publicity stunt aimed at gaining the family their own reality TV show.
As a condition of their probation, the judge barred the couple, who have three sons, from earning any financial benefit, such as from a book deal or other media venture, that might be generated from the so-called "balloon-boy" escapade.
"I do want to reiterate that I'm very, very sorry, and I want to apologize to all the rescue workers out there and people who got involved," the father, his voice choking with emotion, said moments before he was sentenced.
In a letter to the judge, Heene sought leniency for his wife, who lawyers for both sides characterized as the minor player in the hoax. She declined to make a statement in court.
The father, a home remodeling contractor, was given until Jan. 11 to begin serving his term - 30 days of straight jail time followed by 60 days of work-release in which he spends nights behind bars and but works during the day if employed. His wife will start her sentence once the husband completes his.
The grim-faced couple said nothing as they walked out of the courtroom surrounded by media.
Hoax unravelled
The parents drew worldwide attention on Oct 15 when they reported that their youngest son, 6-year-old Falcon, had been carried away in a homemade helium balloon that accidentally lifted off from their backyard.
The odd-looking silver craft, built to resemble a flying saucer, drifted over Colorado for 80 km, trailed by National Guard helicopters as authorities scrambled to reroute aviation traffic in and out of Denver International Airport.
The episode was followed for hours on live television and the Internet, transfixing millions as the balloon came down in a wheat field and was found empty.
It turned out that the family had hidden the boy in the attic of their garage.
The Heenes' account of events unraveled after they were interviewed on CNN's "Larry King Live," and Falcon was asked why he stayed in hiding so long. Looking first to his parents, the boy answered: "You said that we did this for a show."
A criminal probe was launched, and court documents later revealed the mother admitted to investigators that the incident was concocted as a reality show gimmick. The family previously have appeared on the ABC reality show "Wife Swap."
The father, 48, pleaded guilty last month to a felony charge of
attempting to influence a public servant. His wife, 45, pleaded
guilty to the lesser offense of false reporting to authorities.
Their lawyer said then that the plea deal was accepted so that the
mother, a Japanese citizen, would avoid the possibility of
deportation.
