Last week, we all watched painfully as an experimental balloon apparently flew through the sky with a young boy. 

Turns out that the whole story was made up by the boy’s parents: Richard and Mayumi Heene.  Of course they are denying it to save their butts. We all know they are in big trouble. The family appeared on CNN and it was hard to watch them get caught red handed on national television.  The dad asks the child, “Did you hear us calling your name at any time?” The boys replies “Uh-huh, You guys said..that, umm…we did this for a show.”  As I watched, my mouth was agape.

Should the balloon boy’s parents face criminal prosecution?  The parents could be charged of multiple felonies: conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and attempting to influence a public servant.  Also they could be charged for a misdemeanor of filing a false police report. 

Many people are furious at these parents, but I don’t think they should be prosecuted.  I think jail time is ridiculous.  Leave jail to the real criminals. Yes, what they did was very stupid, but for the most part they seem like normal parents just trying to get some attention that obviously back-fired.  Both the parents don’t have jobs, so they are trying to be creative to get money.  Although I don’t think the parents should be prosecuted, I do think they should repay all the cost associated with the hoax.  

This story is getting tons of media because it is a quirky, original story.  If they get a reality show from all of this, I will be very mad.  The parents should not be rewarded for using their child to gain fame and exposure. 

I hope many parents learn a lesson from all of this.  Don’t use your children to become famous. 

-Carissa is a blogger for The Daily Vine. Check out her bio to see where her view comes from.

Related Links

"Balloon Boy" Falcon Henne Admits: "We Did This For The Show", YouTube

Balloon boy charges may not come until next week, Yahoo News