Associated Press
 
October 19, 2009
 
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Authorities say they don't expect to file possible charges against the family accused of a balloon hoax until at least next week.
 
A Larimer County sheriff's spokeswoman in Colorado says investigators likely won't have a report ready for the DA's office until then. After that, it would be up to prosecutors to decide whether to file charges against Richard Heene or his wife.
 
An attorney for the Heenes says they are willing to turn themselves in to avoid the spectacle of a public arrest.
 
A Colorado sheriff says the couple was engaged in a publicity stunt to promote a reality TV show when they told authorities last week that their 6-year-old son, Falcon, was inside a giant helium balloon that had broken loose and was floating away.
 
As the flying saucer streaked more than 50 miles across two counties Thursday, the National Guard sent helicopters to join a rescue effort that temporarily shut down Denver airport.
 
Once investigators got a good look at it, they determined that the thin mylar balloon held together with duct tape would not gotten off the ground with the 37-pound-boy inside.
 
Authorities are working to track down Robert Thomas, who in a paid article for Gawker.com claimed Heene had told him months ago he was planning a stunt.
 
The e-mails on Gawker.com read, "This will be the most significant UFO-related news event to take place since the Roswell." Gawker says it paid for Thomas' story, but didn't reveal how much.