According to Reuters, criminal charges to some degree will be filed soon on the incident of a 6-year-old boy who was the cause of an extended and frantic search in case the young boy was inside a wayward helium balloon. This was confirmed today by the authorities, which say the Larimer County Sheriff's Department will continue investigating and eventually file some criminal charges regarding this incident.
The boy's father, Richard Heene, an amateur scientist and inventor, has denied speculation Thursday's incident was a publicity stunt, said Reuters.
“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.
However, the sheriff, Jim Alderden, said for TheNewYorkTimes, a misdemeanor “hardly seems serious enough given the circumstances.” He added, “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.”
I have been following this case and it seems that this stunt is solely for publicity. Why else would the father be a part of and possibly advocate such activities? I think that the boy should suffer some repercussions, even if it involves meetings going over good and bad behavior. If nothing were to come of this for the boy, it does not teach him to act in future incidents or under peer pressure.
