VIDEO: Balloon Boy's Parents Ready To Surrender If Charged

Oct. 19 2009, Published 5:00 a.m. ET

The Denver-based attorney for Richard and Mayumi Heene, the parents of the 6-year-old boy mistakenly believed to have floated off to his doom in a helium balloon, said Monday that his clients are ready to surrender to authorities if they are indeed charged with any felonies in connection with the alleged hoax.

Heene Family May Have To Pay For Hoax

Attorney David Lane told the Today Show Monday the couple wants to avoid "the public spectacle and humiliation," and are willing to turn themselves in if the criminal case proceeds; he said arresting them in front of the kids would constitute "child abuse."

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Balloon Boy Parents House Searched

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden Sunday told reporters he will likely recommend felony charges against the Colorado couple.

Hear The 911 Call

A worldwide audience watched Oct. 15, as the homemade helium balloon soared 7,000 feet over eastern Colorado for just under two hours; it was revealed during the dramatic incident that the boy's family had gained fame on the ABC reality show Wife Swap.