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| Balloon family 'ready for arrest' | Balloon family 'ready for arrest' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The US couple accused of faking the disappearance of their son in a weather balloon are ready to turn themselves in to police, their lawyer says. | The US couple accused of faking the disappearance of their son in a weather balloon are ready to turn themselves in to police, their lawyer says. |
| David Lane said he shortly expected police in Colorado to bring charges against his client, Richard Heene. | David Lane said he shortly expected police in Colorado to bring charges against his client, Richard Heene. |
| "These folks are absolutely willing to turn themselves in, so I don't want to see a 'perp walk' done for media consumption," Mr Lane told NBC TV. | "These folks are absolutely willing to turn themselves in, so I don't want to see a 'perp walk' done for media consumption," Mr Lane told NBC TV. |
| Mr Heene and wife Mayumi are accused of planning the hoax as a publicity stunt. | Mr Heene and wife Mayumi are accused of planning the hoax as a publicity stunt. |
| The disappearance of their son, six-year-old Falcon Heene, became a media drama, but he was later found at home. | The disappearance of their son, six-year-old Falcon Heene, became a media drama, but he was later found at home. |
| His parents appeared on several TV networks with Falcon and his two brothers to talk about the incident and insist it had not been staged. | His parents appeared on several TV networks with Falcon and his two brothers to talk about the incident and insist it had not been staged. |
| Acting abilities | Acting abilities |
| Official details of any charges the Heenes might face have not yet been made public. | Official details of any charges the Heenes might face have not yet been made public. |
| However, Sheriff Jim Alderden said on Sunday that charges might include conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. | However, Sheriff Jim Alderden said on Sunday that charges might include conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. |
| Some of the most serious charges each carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 (£305,000) fine. | Some of the most serious charges each carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 (£305,000) fine. |
| We certainly know that there's a conspiracy between husband and wife Sheriff Jim Alderden href="/1/hi/world/americas/8314482.stm">Profile: 'Balloon Boy' family | |
| Sheriff Alderden said that at first the parents' acting abilities had made them appear credible to the police. | Sheriff Alderden said that at first the parents' acting abilities had made them appear credible to the police. |
| But it had become clear when the son referred to his hiding as part of "a show" during a television interview that they were not telling the truth. | But it had become clear when the son referred to his hiding as part of "a show" during a television interview that they were not telling the truth. |
| Sheriff Alderden said the authorities were investigating whether anyone else may have been involved, including a media outlet that may have been in on the hoax. | Sheriff Alderden said the authorities were investigating whether anyone else may have been involved, including a media outlet that may have been in on the hoax. |
| "We certainly know that there's a conspiracy between the husband and wife, you've probably seen some of the e-mails and some of the things on the internet suggesting that there may be other conspirators," he told reporters. | "We certainly know that there's a conspiracy between the husband and wife, you've probably seen some of the e-mails and some of the things on the internet suggesting that there may be other conspirators," he told reporters. |
| Investigators have said they want to question Robert Thomas, an associate of Mr Heene's from Denver, who provided the website Gawker.com with e-mail exchanges in which he and Mr Heene talk about a possible balloon stunt to promote a proposed reality TV show. | Investigators have said they want to question Robert Thomas, an associate of Mr Heene's from Denver, who provided the website Gawker.com with e-mail exchanges in which he and Mr Heene talk about a possible balloon stunt to promote a proposed reality TV show. |
| Police have searched the house of Richard and Mayumi Heene for evidence that the family was hoping to use the incident to obtain a lucrative contract for such a show. | Police have searched the house of Richard and Mayumi Heene for evidence that the family was hoping to use the incident to obtain a lucrative contract for such a show. |
| The family has made previous appearances on a US reality show, Wife Swap. | The family has made previous appearances on a US reality show, Wife Swap. |
| Other conspirators? | Other conspirators? |
| US news networks devoted hours of live coverage to the drama on Thursday after it was reported the boy might be in a balloon floating high over Colorado. | US news networks devoted hours of live coverage to the drama on Thursday after it was reported the boy might be in a balloon floating high over Colorado. |
| The sheriff accused the Heenes of staging a publicity stunt | The sheriff accused the Heenes of staging a publicity stunt |
| Denver International Airport was temporarily shut down during the incident. | Denver International Airport was temporarily shut down during the incident. |
| When the balloon landed in fields there was no trace of him, prompting a major ground search and further fears for his safety. | When the balloon landed in fields there was no trace of him, prompting a major ground search and further fears for his safety. |
| The sheriff said the police may seek compensation for the time wasted. | The sheriff said the police may seek compensation for the time wasted. |
| He did not give an estimate, though the Associated Press news agency said the cost of two police helicopters sent out on a rescue mission was $14,500 (£8,900). | He did not give an estimate, though the Associated Press news agency said the cost of two police helicopters sent out on a rescue mission was $14,500 (£8,900). |
| The boy, his two brothers and his parents gave numerous TV interviews late on Thursday and early Friday. Falcon was twice sick on camera. | The boy, his two brothers and his parents gave numerous TV interviews late on Thursday and early Friday. Falcon was twice sick on camera. |