Balloon boy parents to pay 36K in restitution

The Larimer County sheriff8217;s office and other agencies had sought 48,000 for responding to the Oct 15 incident.

The Heenes reported their 6-year-old son had floated away in a homemade UFO-shaped helium balloon,touching off a scramble of dozens of emergency responders and two Colorado National Guard helicopters.

The boy wasn8217;t on the balloon and was later found at his home in Fort Collins,about 100 kilometres north of Denver.

Authorities accused the Heenes of staging a hoax to get publicity for reality TV shows they were trying to pitch.

The Heenes8217; attorneys had argued the couple should pay only a small amount in compensation. Richard Heene8217;s attorney,David Lane,said in January that it appeared authorities wanted to make money on the episode.

The Heenes8217; attorneys didn8217;t immediately return calls after business hours yesterday.

Prosecutors reduced the amount sought,agreeing to drop the sheriff8217;s request for investigative costs. Damage to a farmer8217;s wheat crop where the balloon landed hasn8217;t been calculated.

Richard Heene was sentenced to 90 days in jail for falsely influencing authorities. Mayumi Heene was sentenced to 20 days for filing a false report.