Balloon Boy Parents Sentenced
Richard and Mayumi Heene, who perpetrated the balloon boy hoax finally faced the music today. Richard got 90 days in jail, including 60 days of work release that will let him pursue his job as a construction contractor while serving his time. Heene will be allowed to start his 30-day jail term on Jan. 11, delaying the start of the sentence for two weeks so he can spend the holidays with his family. He will serve the remaining 60 days of his jail term under work release, coming back to jail at night. His wife, Mayumi, was sentenced to 20 days in jail after her husband completes his sentence. Her time served is flexible, she can report to jail on 10 weekends, for example, so the children are cared for, the judge said. Both got 4 years of probation time.
Richard Heene gave a choking back tears apology saying he was especially sorry, to the rescue workers who chased down false reports that his 6-year-old son had floated away in a balloon on Oct. 15. It was a stunt designed to generate attention for a reality TV show.
To prevent the couple from cashing in, in anyway, the Heenes’ probation will be revoked if they are found to be profiting from any book, TV, movie or other deals related to the stunt.
