Balloon boy - should there be charges against the parents?

Yes, the parents should be charged. They could probably lose their children, this time for real through Department of Children and Families. Making false charges is a crime. The fact that they had police chasing around a balloon looking for their son shows their disrespect of the law, all for the sake of money. Instead of making money they will probably lose money. Quite honestly, they should throw them in jail as well and take the children until the parents can show some responsibility.

It is so disgusting to hear about parents who should not have had children in the first place if all they'll do is use the kids for their own selfish purposes. Yes, that mom and dad SHOULD be charged with whatever cases could possibly be slapped on them. They have acted irresponsibly and have caused a lot of havoc as well as wasted other people's time and the government's resources. They should be ashamed of themselves! I hope child services could also look into the case and see if it would warrant a removal of the child (perhaps temporarily) from under his parents' care until those two idiots are rehabilitated from a condition called STUPIDITY. What a classic example of BAD modeling :(

Well, for one thing, they should have to pay for the cost of the resources used to chase the balloon. This stunt was wrong on so many levels. Using your child to get attention like this?

From what I've understood this definitely seems to be a hoax and if it was then charges absolutely should be filed. Not only did they cost tax payers thousands and thousands of dollars on a fake rescue effort they completely exploited their child. They had the poor little guy lie, and to the police nonetheless! They put that poor kid through a real trauma and that shouldn't be something they can just get away with. And they did it all in a vain effort to get a reality show. It's sick and it's wrong and they should absolutely suffer the consequences. It should also send a clear message to anyone else thinking of orchestrating something like this or using a child to get on TV.

I have mixed feelings about this particular story, I understand that they should get into some kind of trouble as they let something like this happen. You know the police and military spent a lot of money to chase the balloon down? And then the boy wasn't even inside, that was just But then again, you have to consider that maybe the parents did NOT do it on purpose. Maybe the balloon flew away by accident, and they THOUGHT the boy was inside. Wouldn't you try to get it back, if it was your child onboard? They were afraid, and it wasn't their fault that the boy was at home... Mixed feelings, mixed feelings, you can't really be angry at them but you can't really let them go without a punishment...

They should be charged with whatever can be thrown at them. Emergency resources were wasted on these self-centred liars when there could have been, and probably were, people needing help. They should certainly be made to pay back every penny that was spent and made to do some kind of community service to teach them to think about other people.

The more I read up on this the more that I do think the father at least should be charged. As a parent, it was wrong to put his child in the position that he did and to instruct him to lie and deceive the public. Really bad parenting going on there. The time and money that it cost the people that were trying to rescue this little boy who was safe and sound at home is outrageous. Let's not mention the air time devoted to following this ridiculous story. The man is setting a bad example for his kids and costing us serious money when no one has money to spare. He deserves to be charged and at least repay the costs I think.

there has to be consequences to such irresponsible behavior. it was not funny in the least and people were really concerned and worried for the boy's safety. people were willing to put their lives at rish to save him and it was covered for quite some time on the news and all kinds of police and others were dispatched and involved. if there are no charges then it sends a really bad message to others that this kind of thing is ok to do.

The news about balloon boy was booming these last days. And somehow I feel not good after reading its news. =) I even heard that the balloon boy's parents just in the way to get popularity due to some television program, I forgot it but I'm sure I read it. And about the charges that the parents might face, I think some search engine are currently focusing the news on that. I really really agree with the charges, UNLESS the parents were found in the right side. I've also heard that someone's field was broken just for the useless rescue.

They are saying that they could be facing several felony charges and I think they should prosecute them to the fullest. These people caused the expenditure of a lot of effort and hundreds of thousands of dollars and it was all a staged hoax. They did this intentionally, knowing what would happen. They caused emergency services personnel and resources to waste time on their farce that may have been needed on actual emergencies. And it was all to try and land some sort of reality show gig on TV. Maybe they can do a show about what it's like to go to prison for being stupid. I'm worried about the safety of those kids too. The guy clearly used his own kids to further his illegal actions so how far would he go? I think they are going to take a hard look at that.

I heard about this and it is so rediculous. I think they should pay back the money it cost to put out the police searches. Apparantly the father phone the TV company before the police. It is so silly people are so desperate to be famous they will do anything. Some people should try using talent instead of stupid stunts like this.

Yes they should be brought up on charges. Not only did they waste a lot of valuable time and money, but what does that say to the american people? That it is okay to lie to get what you want? If they do not set an example with this family then imagine the crazy things people will start doing just for a few minutes in the spotlight.

...Hi taraelocin, When this all came on the news, I thought it interesting that the family had been on "wife swap". So I said okay, they like the limelight. Then they found the little boy in the attic, where he had been eating all kinds of different foods. So somebody supplied him with his nourishment, right. So, then I hear that the Sheriff did not think it was a hoax, when the little boy had blurted out, much to the father's chagrin, because he didn't know what to say, when the child said, "you said it was for a show", when they asked him why he didn't come out, when they called his name. The child was being honest and somebody got caught. Then they questioned the family again, and searched the house. Now there will be possible misdemeanor charges and a fine. The father, as I understand it, called the tv station before he called 911. What a waste of money and time, and stirring up emotions, making people worry about a child. Take care.

what a ridiculous turn of events. considering the trouble they caused for law enforcement, among other things, they should be charged with something.

I agree with you!! I think it was a horrible thing to do, making everyone worry and go out on a "wild goose chase" for that little boy, who was at home hiding!! I can't imagine wanting attention so bad that someone would stupe to such a low level!! They definitely deserve to have charges brought against them!

I think the same.....sounds like a big put up at the tax payers expense. I think they should at least have to pay for all the emergency equipment....to think they did it for publicity! What a crock!

Of course there should be charges brought againist them, the crazy things. To put that little boy in that snario is a crime to. tHEY DON'T DESERVE TO HAVE CHILDREN & TREAT THEM LIKE THEY ARE.

Yes if this was a hoax like they are starting to think it was. The parents should be charged. I feel sorry for the little boy. I heard clips of hiim on the Today Show and he obviously didn't want to be there. It's a little ridiculous that his father scrared him so badly that he felt he had to hide in the closet.

Absolutely To do something so stupid all while exploiting your child is wrong. The cost of the "intervention" of the balloon that day was just astronomical not to mention tying up emergency vehicles and personal when there could have been someone who really needed them. People ask "Why would he do that" and my opinion is, for several reasons. He was in negotiations of a possible reality show with one of the networks and maybe was doing some pre show promotions or maybe he was looking for financial backers for his "in the works" hovering vehicle that he says is in the early stages of design etc., or maybe he just likes the camera. I first got suspicious as to the body language of the mother. She just didn't act like a "frantic" Mom whose child was soaring some 7000' above the ground. (The balloon was not supposed to go over 20', (back to the drawing board Mr. Heene) If you noticed on the live interview on Good Morning America on Friday morning, she never spoke nor did she ever look into the camera..Just not your typical reaction. It just goes to show you that "Kids say the darndest things", referring to the Larry King interview when the little boy, when asked "Why didn't you come down when you heard your name called?" responded "Daddy said we did it for a show", imagine the fathers heart dropping do the ground when the child spilled the beans. In any case, it was a stupid move, a stupid idea, and he should at least have to pay the cost of the "hunt" for the balloon boy.