No charges against sheriff for 'balloon boy' disclosure

BOULDER - The Boulder District Attorney has declined to file charges against Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden regarding his disclosure that county social service workers were investigating the family of 'balloon boy' Falcon Heene.

In a letter issued Tuesday afternoon, District Attorney Stan Garnett said he found no evidence Alderden "improperly" disclosed the investigation.

"Although Sheriff Alderden references the fact that the Department of Social Services has become involved, he discloses no data or information obtained from a Department of Social Services report, nor does he improperly release any identifying information obtained from records or reports of child abuse," Garnett said. "Thus, no criminal charges are warranted."

The Heenes are under investigation for reporting that their 6-year-old son had drifted away on a homemade balloon that broke loose from its tethers Oct. 16 in Fort Collins. The flight of the balloon captivated people around the world concerned for the boy's welfare.

The boy was found safe at home. Alderden has accused the Heenes of lying and staging a publicity stunt. The Larimer County district attorney is considering whether to file charges.

Alderden said he wasn't surprised by Garnett's decision, adding that Lane's complaint was typical of the attorney's tactics of "attack, distract and discredit."

Lane responded by saying, "When law enforcement breaks the law, I attack." He added: "Unfortunately I usually have to rely on other law enforcement to do something about it."

Lane said he disagreed with the district attorney's conclusion.

"This is a typical law enforcement investigating law enforcement whitewash," he said. But he added there was nothing he could do about the decision.

Lane said it's just a matter of time before the Heenes are charged.

This story written by Trevor Hughes, Fort Collins Coloradoan.