"Balloon Boy" Family Says Sheriff Talks Too Much; Heene Lawyers Want Criminal Probe

By: Sammy Rose Saltzman
Topics: Daily Blotter

(AP Photo)

Photo: Larimer County, Colo. Sheriff James Alderden at an Oct. 18 press conference.

NEW YORK (CBS) The issue of what may happen to the three children of "balloon-boy" parents Richard and Mayumi Heene has taken a new legal turn.

PICTURES: The Bizarre "Balloon Boy" Incident

Lawyers for the Heenes are calling for a "criminal action" against Sheriff James Alderden, accusing him of violating Colorado confidentiality statutes that deal with reports of child abuse or neglect.

The allegation comes in an Oct. 26 letter to the Larimer County, Co. District Attorney's Office, saying Sheriff Alderden has repeatedly spoken publicly about "an alleged child welfare investigation" concerning the Heene family, and suggesting such comments are a "class I misdemeanor" under state law.

The letter also asserts the Heenes' three children "are in no danger whatsoever."

The district attorney's office had not responded to the Heene lawyers' complaint as of Monday evening.

In an email to major media outlets that was accompanied by a copy of the letter to the D.A., Heene attorney David Lane wrote, "It is our belief that the Sheriff [Alderden] has engaged in a concerted effort to prevent the Heene's(sic) from possibly receiving a fair trial in this matter."

As an example of Alderden's remarks which the Heene lawyers say warrant a criminal investigation, their letter to the D.A. cited an Oct. 21 story on Crimesider, which began as follows: "Richard and Mayumi Heene, in all their alleged balloon boy hoax glory, have been reported to child protective services in Colorado, according to Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden."

(CBS)

Photo: Richard Heene and his family, including Falcon, lower left, address the media Oct. 15.

At an Oct. 18 news conference, Alderden said, "Clearly, from all indications, Mr. Heene has somewhat of a temper."

"We have a concern, but we didn't have enough that would allow us or child protective services to physically take the kids from that environment," the sheriff added.

In his email to the media, Lane wrote that the statements of Sheriff Alderden are "designed to further fuel the public frenzy against the Heenes and insure that they will be convicted in the court of public opinion before any charges are even filed in this matter."

Alderden has said that he will recommend criminal charges against the Heenes including conspiracy, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant, after the couple created a national media and law-enforcement frenzy on Oct. 15, with the release of their experimental silver helium weather balloon. At the time, authorities believed that 6-year old Falcon Heene was along for an unplanned, and harrowing journey.

That suspicion was all gone with the wind after Falcon was found safe and sound.

MEDIA
Photos: The Bizarre "Balloon Boy" Incident
Audio: Richard Heene's Frantic 911 Call

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
October 26, 2009 - "Balloon Boy" Sheriff Jim Alderden Blogs About God, Guns, and Gay Rights
October 22, 2009 - Balloon Mom Will "Go Down With the Ship"
October 21, 2009 - Could Child Protective Services Take Balloon Boy from Richard and Mayumi Heene?
October 20, 2009 - Balloon Boy Story Keeps Floating: Police Question Richard Heene's Associate Robert Thomas
October 19, 2009 Balloon Boy Dad Richard Heene, Not His First Close Encounter With the Law
October 19, 2009 - Richard Heene, Balloon Boy's Father, Wears Bra, Makeup While Ranting on YouTube
October 19, 2009 - Aliens Spoke to Balloon Boy's Father Richard Heene at a Fast-Food Restaurant
October 19, 2009 - Balloon Boy Dad Richard Heene Thinks World Will End in 2012; Will He Be Out of Jail by Then
October 19, 2009 - Balloon Boy Family's Homophobic Rant in Rap Video
October 19, 2009 - "Mad Scientist" Richard Heene Cooked Up Balloon Boy Hoax Months Ago, Says Denver Man
October 16, 2009 - Balloon Boy Drama Was "Real Event," Says Sheriff
October 16, 2009 - Balloon Boy Falcon Heene 911 Call Released
October 16, 2009 - It Sure Wasn't Altitude Sickness, But Balloon Boy Falcon Heene Throws Up Twice on National TV

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by cladagh October 27, 2009 6:24 PM EDT: Richard Heene is a narcissist and possibly a sociopath. It is obvious that the pending criminal charges scare the heck out of him and that's why his lawyer is changing the subject. It's hard telling how much psychological damage his sons have already suffered.
I sincerely hope that this hoax, as well as that trashy couple Jon & Kate plus that moronic octomom, will signal the beginning of the end of these wretched reality shows. The American viewing public needs seriously re-evaluate their 'entertainment choices' and the networks need to pull the plug on this nonsense.; Reply to this comment


by makemyday2day October 27, 2009 5:59 PM EDT: The sheriff talks too much!? You know the first few days of this 'story', that same sheriff was DEFENDING this family against the hoax story (see "October 16, 2009 - Balloon Boy Drama Was "Real Event," Says Sheriff"). I think the Heene family needs to stop the BS and point the finger where the responsibility lies: WITH THEMSELVES! This guy doesn't know when to shut-up! Richard Heene and his wacko lawyer need to ZIP IT. What losers!; Reply to this comment


by EarthToHeene October 27, 2009 5:41 PM EDT: L'ingMAO at the irony of the title of this piece.
A couple of media ****** broke their necks to get out on ciruit after their hoax and THEY accuse the sheriff of talking too much?
As for Lane, he is just flopping around in load of manure that has been dumped in his lap.; Reply to this comment


by Scooter2009 October 27, 2009 2:44 PM EDT: These folks are kooks.....they are the ones who talked too much...and made their own mess. This game of blaming others because they set up this whole fiasco is criminal....; Reply to this comment


by GCG1000 October 27, 2009 2:44 PM EDT: This "Balloon Boy" business is so much bunk! Media coverage should be dropped, because there are more important things going on in the world deserving coverage. Feeding this husband's warped ego is not one of them.; Reply to this comment