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Richard Heene holds his son Falcon Heene outside their house in Fort Collins, Colorado - Source: Reuters -
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Criminal charges will soon be filed in the case of a
six-year-old boy who spurred a frantic search for fear he was
inside a wayward helium balloon, but who was later found safe at
home, officials said.
The Larimer County Sheriff's department was preparing charges over
the much-publicized incident.
The boy's father, Richard Heene, an amateur scientist and
inventor, has denied speculation Thursday's incident was a
publicity stunt.
A massive search-and-rescue operation and media frenzy ensued after
the Heene's homemade helium balloon broke loose and drifted
thousands of feet above Colorado for hours.
"We do anticipate ... there will be some criminal charges filed in
respect to this incident," said Sheriff Jim Alderden, speaking to
reporters in a news conference televised on CNN.
He said initial charges would likely be a misdemeanour.
The department was preparing search warrants, he said, adding the
possible misdemeanour charge hardly seems serious enough given the
circumstances.
He said the department was in contact with federal authorities
and additional federal charges were possible.
Heene and his wife Mayumi were both questioned by sheriff's
officials on Saturday.
Speculation over whether the four-hour ordeal was an elaborate hoax
by the family - who have appeared on reality television and are
known as storm chasers - arose after the boy, named Falcon, said on
CNN's Larry King Live
that he stayed hidden for the show.
Earlier on Saturday, father Heene reiterated it was not a publicity
stunt.
He had called media to his Fort Collins, Colorado home for what
he said would be a major announcement, but instead requested that
reporters put written questions into a box that he would address
later.
"Was this some sort of publicity stunt?" asked a reporter outside
the home.
"Absolutely no hoax," said Heene.
Falcon, whose older brother had reported seeing him climb into a
compartment attached to the balloon, was discovered hiding in a box
in the attic above his family's garage.
Alderden said the department would hold a news conference on Sunday
morning.
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