Balloon Boy's Parents Sentenced to Jail — Fair?

Not just fair, generous. They should also have their kids taken away.

Very generous. I'm not sure about taking the kids away as that would've been harsh.

What's going to happen to the children when the parents are in jail? Does anyone have info on that?

The mom is going to go to jail after the father serves his time, I believe.

How can this be split 50/50? Really? He'll only be in for 30 days. Maybe not enough people have voted yet... I'll have to check back to see if that number changes.

According to the ABC article, "Richard Heene, 49, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of attempting to influence a public servant. Mayumi Heene, 48, pleaded guilty to false reporting, a misdemeanor." Just to read the charges it may seem harsh, but I think they got off easy considering the circumstances.

The judge also gave him, "eight years probation. He also prohibited the couple from making any money off the balloon boy fiasco during that time." So eight years from now they can write a book? Am I reading that right? Ridiculous.

And a $40,000 fine? Again, according to the ABC article, "the Larimer County District Attorney's Office estimates the total costs associated with the balloon boy fiasco at $46,000." I wonder if they have to pay the 40K in addition to the 46K.

The article didn't say, but I certainly hope they have to take some parenting classes. They need it.

"...banning them form making money off their dubious publicity stunt seems like the best punishment of all"

Here here!

Wow! In the time it took me to read the ABC article and put my post up, it's now 94 to 6. That seems right.

Why is it harsh? Asking your children to lie on national tv, possibly being willing to endanger them for publicity, using them as props for your own insane, self-involved agenda?

That shows real mental instability to me. They should have counseling mandated as well, and should have to take parenting classes. I do not trust these parents with children, period.

Without knowing whether they have other family members to be taken in, I am not for them being removed from the home. They aren't being beaten, starved, molested, etc, all of which often happen to children in foster care. I think both of these people are disgusting greedy individuals, but i can't really condone the kids landing in the foster system. Unfortunately, greed and stupidity are one of the lesser evils. I think CPS should be focusing on the repeat drug offenders, abusers and molesters long before wasting any time on these two morons. If anything, this sitaution will teach their kids a pretty good lesson on greed and fame.

I think the barring from any profit from the situation should have been indefinite. They should NEVER be able to do a book deal or interviews for profit or anything about the situation. 8 years is a drop in the bucket in a lifetime.

He gets 90dys and she gets 20dys, that's what's not fair. He should get a year and I would give her a couple months only because something tells me that he had/has a very domineering relationship with her.

honestly, the father is a sociopathic famewh*re and the mom was a mailorder bride. I could not be happier with these punishments, ESPECIALLY the 'you cannot profit from this for a length of time', because clearly that is what they want to do

Both parents should be given more than just 30 days in jail. And their children should be taken away and given to someone who is NOT a relative or friend. Those children are in a seriously unstable home. And it cannot get any better for them.

These types of adults don't learn their lesson the first time around. These folks still want a reality show deal. Now how is that a stable life for children that already have mental issues that need to be dealt with.

Just my two cents: I think its odd how many people are saying the kids should be taken away and put into foster care only because to be honest, its not like we have a surplus of stable, happy and available homes for kids who are in real need (ie. the ones actually being molested or abused or whathaveyou).
On top of the jail time, and the no-profit rule, I think family counseling should be mandatory (and extra one on one counseling should be require of the dad).

I worked as a crime beat journalist for several years. I've sure seen kids taken away from their parents for less.

Could we at least agree that the Department of Human Services should look into this? I'm certianly not an expert on this situation - but would want professionals to examine the situation.

agree SKG -- Smacks, what could you possibly see about these parents' behavior as stable?

I think child services is investigating-

http://adoption.about.com/b/2009/10/17/should-child-protective-services-...

And that's the most recent I could find. I don't think the kids should be taken away forever without any sort of investigation- that's too harsh of a punishment.

I think is totally fair. They forced the poor child to hid for four hours and wasted resources. These people are sick, specially the father, and need to learn that you can play with authorities, nor waist tax payers money like that.

I think it's fair. In fact, I wouldn't mind more jail time.

Not enough is being thrown at them!

I think he should serve more jail time, and I may be in the minority here, but in addition to the kids, I also feel bad for the wife. I doubt that he lets her do anything, much less have an opinion. A man like that would never relinquish any power which is evident since we've seen the extent of his misogyny and douchebaggery.

Yes it's fair. They are not getting enought time...The kids need to learn, if you break the law you go to jail.

It's not fair - they should be in jail longer, at least in my opinion.

I don't think the kids need to be taken away necessarily. Maybe they should be forced to attend a parenting class. Or just be reminded daily that parenting should come before fame. (Ie, don't make your kid hide in the attic so you can be on TV.)

you shunt never use your kids an any kind of stunt like this or any

I agree that was very generous...they got a slap on the wrist for all the uproar and trouble they caused. I agree that they should also lose their children. If they were willing to put their children in danger and go that far for a publicity stunt...then it says a lot for their parenting skills.

They both should have a longer jail sentence and the children should be placed into a stable environment. The Heene's household is clearly NOT stable. Millions can see that. It's no secret now.