Crime | balloon boy Balloon Family Feels 'Under Siege': Lawyer Lawyer says stunt has turned into a "nightmare for the family." By Nick McMaster Posted Oct 19, 2009 4:56 PM CDT Copied Richard Heene, center, returns to the family's home in Fort Collins,, Colo., late on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Richard and Mayumi Heene are likely regretting the hoax they staged using their 6-year-old son and a balloon: With criminal charges looming and public opinion turning against them, the family feels “under siege,” their lawyer said today. The FAA has opened an investigation into the incident; it has jurisdiction because the hoax caused delays in flights out of Denver International. Local police will probably bring charges next week, USA Today reports. Read These Next He won $1M on first Survivor. Today, he owes $3M in taxes on it. An unwanted hiking trend for women: the 'Alpine divorce.' After Noem's departure, Lewandowski is out at DHS. 'No Kings' crowds oppose, mock Trump. Report an error