FORT COLLINS, COLO. — The parents of a 6-year-old boy who was thought to be trapped in a runaway balloon but was later found hiding in his family's garage will probably face criminal charges, authorities said Saturday night -- the latest indication that the surreal drama that captivated the nation might have been a publicity stunt.
Larimer County Sheriff James Alderden, who previously said he thought the boy's parents, Richard and Mayumi Heene, had not staged the escapade, told reporters Saturday night, "We anticipate at some point in the future there will be some criminal charges filed in this incident."
Alderden said he couldn't detail what the charges would be but could only say that those that applied are misdemeanors -- which "hardly seems enough, given the circumstances," he added.
He previously said that if the balloon incident was a hoax, the parents could be charged with making a false report to authorities, a low-level misdemeanor.
"We are talking to the district attorney, federal officials to see if perhaps there aren't additional federal charges that are appropriate in this circumstance," he said.
Alderden said deputies were seeking a search warrant for the family's home, and there would be more information at a news conference today. Later Saturday, authorities began executing a search.
The sheriff spoke after his investigators interviewed the family again for several hours Saturday.
Alderden said the parents spoke to investigators voluntarily and weren't under arrest.
The Heenes left the sheriff's headquarters Saturday night grim-faced. Richard Heene simply said, "We're doing well."
The day began with Richard Heene knocking on the car windows of journalists camped outside his home and promising a "big announcement." A few hours later, he told reporters that they should leave questions in a cardboard box on the front doorstep.
As Heene walked away, a reporter shouted, "Can you tell us once and for all if this is a hoax?"
"Absolutely no hoax. I want your questions in the box," Heene said, waving a cardboard container before going back inside.
Outside, a circus atmosphere formed, with men holding signs and occasionally yelling "balloon boy." One sign read, "Put balloon boy on TV: America's Most Wanted."
Other gawkers carried aluminum-foil stove-top popcorn makers that resembled the silvery balloon launched from the family's backyard Thursday, with Falcon believed to be onboard.
