Balloon Boy Follow Up: Mom May Face Deportation to Japan

[OceanAnnie]

Here's some of the article (link below):

"Prosecutors this morning formally charged the parents of Fort Collins balloon boy Falcon Heene, who are set to plead guilty tomorrow in a pre-arranged deal.

Richard and Mayumi Heene will turn themselves in to the county's chief judge on a personal recognizance bond at 8:30 a.m., said Linda Jensen, a spokeswoman for Larimer County District Attorney Larry Abrahamson.

Richard Heene has been charged with one count of attempting to influence a public servant, a class 4 felony. The penalty range for a class 4 felony is 2-6 years in the Department of Corrections and a fine of $2,000 to $500,000.

Mayumi Heene has been charged with one count of false reporting to authorities, a class 3 misdemeanor. The penalty range for a class 3 misdemeanor is up to six months in county jail and a fine of $50 to $750....

...In the statement, Lane said Mayumi Heene is a citizen of Japan, so a felony conviction could result in her deportation. Mayumi Heene confessed, according to sheriff's investigators.

However, under the law, her statements could not be used against Richard Heene, Lane said, setting up the possibility she would have been convicted and deported, while Richard Heene may have been acquitted.".

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20...ation-to-Japan

[AKLBeauty]

As much as I don't like her, I wouldn't want her deported. That would not be in the best interest of her children.

[OceanAnnie]

Originally Posted by AKLBeauty

As much as I don't like her, I wouldn't want her deported. That would not be in the best interest of her children.

I agree. At least she was the honest one. It looks like the family will pay a heavy price for the parents seeking a reality show. Sad things got so out of whack. (Not that I'm defending them.)

[hentob]

Originally Posted by AKLBeauty

As much as I don't like her, I wouldn't want her deported. That would not be in the best interest of her children.

Meh. It would be nice if they would be placed with a safe and loving family. She is a pretty horrible person.....Pretending that her son might be injured or dead while making him hide

Originally Posted by OceanAnnie

At least she was the honest one.

She was only "honest" when she was about to get caught. She is a liar and a danger to her children. Neglectful, awful mother.

I would have no problem seeing her deported.

[palmtreegirl]

I don't like or agree with what they did but that would be just terrible if she was deported.

[moon]

Originally Posted by palmtreegirl

I don't like or agree with what they did but that would be just terrible if she was deported.

ITA. I really dislike them both (he much more than her) but it would be terrible for the kids if she was deported.

Richard's temper has been shown in public. Who know how he treats Mayumi in private. She may have been intimidated into following his plan.

[DawnCt1]

I thought I heard on the news this afternoon that the father will enter a plea deal so the mother can avoid deportation.

[honugirl]

I've seen the Wife Swap episode with them several times. They are quite an interesting family...

The problem with them is that the parents really don't seem to be interested in being parents. The father spends his time on his "experiments" and the wife pretty much caters to him. They actively drive into extreme weather conditions (i.e. tornados) to launch homemade devices. I don't think that's being a very good parent. It would be one thing if the kids were older, and could decide it they want to put themselves in danger like that.

I don't think that deportation is the right thing to do because the kids will end up with a parent who isn't interested in them. Maybe heavy counseling and parenting classes? Plus some community service because on the show the family seemed quite self absorbed. I'd also like to see them pay for any emergency services or whatever that was used as a result of their little stunt...

[ColoradoMom!!]

Originally Posted by DawnCt1

I thought I heard on the news this afternoon that the father will enter a plea deal so the mother can avoid deportation.

Exactly! There will be no deportation of the Mom.

The lawyer, for the father, David Lane, is not exactly my favorite guy - he defended Ward Churchill against the Univ. of Colorado. That bum - Churchill made all kinds of speechs about 9-11 including where "he disputed the innocence of those working in the World Trade Center." He also lied about being native american to get his job.

We sure know how to grow them out here in Colorado

OH - and if any TV show or publication pays that family one cent for their "story" I will be leading the boycott!

[Mermaid02]

Please- what they did was horrible, dishonest and costly to our nation- HOWEVER- deportation? There are ILLEGALS here who commit crime after crime and aren't deported.

[Deb in IA]

I thought they were going to plead to the misdemeanor counts, so that they could avoid the felonies, which are the ones that would have gotten the mom deported.

Wonder why she never got her US citizenship.

[snykymom]

He is pleading to a felony; she is pleading to a misdemeanor of filing a false report, which is not a deportable event. Both get probation.

What wasn't said, and what I'm interested in, is what about restitution? They should pay the costs of the police & fire response to the hoax.

[JessicaR]

Originally Posted by hentob

Meh. It would be nice if they would be placed with a safe and loving family. She is a pretty horrible person.....Pretending that her son might be injured or dead while making him hide




She was only "honest" when she was about to get caught. She is a liar and a danger to her children. Neglectful, awful mother.

I would have no problem seeing her deported.

I agree with most of this. Her honestly level changed when it was imminent she was about to be found out! That ticked me off.

She also really rubbed me wrong when her little boy looked at her continually during those televised segments after the escapade. If my son was ill, coughing or vomiting my butt would have found its way out of my seat to help him!

Also though I do question her fear level with that husband.

[OceanAnnie]

Originally Posted by JessicaR

I agree with most of this. Her honestly level changed when it was imminent she was about to be found out! That ticked me off.

She also really rubbed me wrong when her little boy looked at her continually during those televised segments after the escapade. If my son was ill, coughing or vomiting my butt would have found its way out of my seat to help him!

Also though I do question her fear level with that husband.

True. "Honest", was a poor word choice on my part. I meant she was the one that came clean. Who knows if her husband ever would. I'm sure her coming clean came with a lot of pressure and it took a long time.

It was troubling to see the boy get sick on tv and have to ask for a cup or something. He was gagging before that and looked ill. It was disheartening that neither of his parents helped him until he asked.