Fort Collins, Colo. (AP) - Colorado prosecutors say they've filed criminal charges against the parents accused of staging a hoax when they reported their 6-year-old son floated away aboard a helium balloon.
Prosecutors said Thursday that Richard Heene was charged with attempting to influence a public servant, a felony. They charged Mayumi Heene with false reporting to authorities, a misdemeanor.
The father's attorney, David Lane, said Richard and Mayumi Heene would plead guilty to the charges in a plea deal so that the family could stay together.
Prosecutors did not confirm the existence of a plea deal. In a statement, the Larimer County district attorney's office said that the Heenes have agreed to turn themselves in and are scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
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