Update: Sheriff: Balloon Boy Incident Was a "Hoax"
Credit: John Moore/Getty Images
The case of the Colorado "balloon boy" -- in which 6-year-old-son Falcon Heene was feared to have floated away on a "homemade flying saucer" Oct. 15 only to be found hiding in his attic -- has been ruled a "hoax" and a "publicity stunt," Larimer County, Colorado, Sheriff Jim Alderden said Sunday.
He said the boy's parents -- Wife Swap stars Richard and Mayumi Heene -- "put on a vert good show for us, and we bought it," he said.
We believe that we have evidence at this point to indicate that it was a publicity stunt done with the hopes of marketing themselves or better marketing themselves for a reality television show at some point in the future," Alderden said.
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On Saturday, Alderden said criminal charges will likely be filed.
"We were looking at Class 3 misdemeanor, which hardly seems serious enough given the circumstances," he said. "We are talking to the district attorney, federal officials to see if perhaps there aren't additional federal charges that are appropriate in this circumstance."
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Richard and Mayumi Heene declined to comment Saturday evening as they left the sheriff's office after several hours of interviews with investigators.
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"I was talking to the sheriff's department just now to further things along," Heene told reporters outside the building. "We're doing well."
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36The parents should be LIABLE FOR ALL COSTS OF THE SEARCH.
Those kids look like weasels!
That kids parents should be arrested and they should be put in foster care. Think about how many missing children there are in the U.S. and these two idiots have to do something like this. They should thank god for their children. Just another case of parents trying to use their kids to get rich like the gosselins
Well, they got the publicity they were seeking. Makes me worry that somewhere John Gosselin is buying a big tank of helium.
I hope they are sent a bill for all the resources used, taxpayers should not have to pay for these idiots.
these people are sick....
Meanwhile there are tons of missing children that will never even get a mention in the newspaper let alone days of coverage on CNN. This is disgusting.
Maybe this family watched the movie UP! one too many times!?
Of course it was a hoax! Did anyone really believe that an oversized mylar balloon could travel 25mph with a a 6 year old in it!? I think not!! This couple makes me sick. I feel sorry for the children.
He should get jail time for this stupid stunt. Took authorities time away from more important, real emergencies!!
That is a terrible example to set for your children. They are teaching their children to be liars. Shame on the Heenes.
That is a terrible example to set for your children. They are teaching their children to be liars. Shame on the Heenes.
That is a terrible example to set for your children. They are teaching their children to be liars. Shame on the Heenes.
October 18, 2009 - 2:20pm Anonymous Says: this photo of the kid shows him with bugged out eyes and un-normal, I guess same can be said for the parents..the Apple doesn't fall too far from the tree I guess. What a bunch of whackos. _____________________ Must have some self-esteem issues to insult a 6 yr old. I don't care much for the parents(from what you read & hear), but not cool to diss a child. No offense, many great geniuses throughout history were considered "un-normal".
Shame on this family . What really surprised me was that this was "BREAKING NEWS' around the world . ... Why?
no sh!t.. now quit giving these losers publicity.
8:44 pm, I am a random person with an opinion, not Mr. Heene.
I would like to see what proof the sheriff has to prosecute, other than some confused words from a sick and distraught little boy. This family may be odd, but that's no reason to vilify them and there's certainly no proof to prosecute an innocent father.
# October 18, 2009 - 7:32pm Anonymous Says: I do not believe this story was a hoax. I believe when the child said "You said we were doing a show" - he was talking TO the media and their claims that it was made up. ------------------------------ Thanks for your input, Mr. Heene.
I do not believe this story was a hoax. I believe when the child said "You said we were doing a show" - he was talking TO the media and their claims that it was made up.