Colorado Gov. Jared Polis
Jared Schutz Polis Governor of South Carolina tests positive for COVID-19 after his wife’s diagnosis. 20 percent of US prisoners infected with COVID-19: study COVID-19: Where are the prisoners? LAKE (D) Pardoned parents on Wednesday for the so-called “balloon boy” hoax in 2009, in which they claimed their 6-year-old son had drifted away in a homemade helium balloon.
Polis said in a statement that the couple had “paid the price in the eyes of the public” and did not deserve to have a criminal record for the rest of their lives, according to the Associated Press.
Richard and Mayumi Heene told authorities in 2009 that their son had drifted away in a silver UFO-shaped helium balloon.
Their claims cut the nation short and provoked an immediate response from dozens of rescuers, including two Colorado National Guard helicopters, who attempted to rescue the boy allegedly trapped in the balloon as it floated through the air on national television.
Their son was eventually found safe in their home in Fort Collins. According to the AP, authorities accused the couple of organizing the event to get publicity for reality TV shows they wanted to pitch. The couple had previously participated in the reality show “Wife Swap”.
Richard Heene was in prison for a month after being convicted of a felony of attempting to influence an official. Mayumi Heene spent 20 days in prison for filing a false report, and the couple was sentenced to $ 36,000 in restitution.
In an interview with ABC News, the couple claimed the incident was not a hoax and that they really believed their son was in the balloon.
The couple belonged to 16 pardons and four lump sums issued by Polis.