Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett has decided that no criminal charges are warranted against Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden for his comments about the family in the runaway balloon case.

Richard Heene's attorney claimed that Alderden violated privacy laws when he said child welfare workers were involved in the investigation of the family. Garnett, appointed as a special prosecutor, said Tuesday that Alderden didn't disclose any information from the Department of Social Services.

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 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.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.