Some people are so stupid, even their very idea of success (making a fake U.F.O. and pretending to lose their kid in it) is stupid.
Forgot to add “breaking news”
Yes. These people were stupid especially if they actually planned this publicity stunt. Now it appears that they continue to act like stupid criminals. Apparently the sheriff is a pretty good poker player. At least initially, he appeared to publicly support the idea that this was all an unfortunate incident. This allowed the sheriff and his interrogators a lot of access to the family. Suddenly, it seems that the opinion of law enforcement has changed.
I don’t condone anything that this family may have done. But I do think that they should have sought advice form a lawyer and taken the fifth before talking to authorities.
We have seen other stories (the kid with the pocket knife, the other one with the knife in the car) in which the targets of the investigation would have been well advised to take the fifth.
If you are the target of an investigation, be polite but take the fifth!