Sheriff Calls Balloon Boy Incident A Hoax

Colorado police are now saying that despite their claims, parents Richard and Mayumi Heene knew all along their boy was not in the homemade balloon that came loose from their backyard and floated 80 kilometres before landing in a field.

After the hours-long media frenzy on Thursday, during which 24-hour news stations followed the progress of the makeshift flying saucer and the subsequent search for six-year-old Falcon Heene, the boy was found safe in his family’s garage.

On Sunday, Sheriff Jim Alderden indicated there was evidence the whole event was a publicity stunt for the reality-TV show hopefuls. He is pressing for charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant.

Some of the charges carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 (U.S.) fine for each offence.

The Heenes’ three sons – aged 10, 8 and six – likely won’t be charged.

On Friday, Alderden had said there was no proof the family was lying and that they would be questioned again on Saturday. After that interview there was enough information to obtain a search warrant for the Heenes’ house.

The media speculation began immediately after Falcon surfaced on Thursday.

When the boy was asked by CNN why he didn’t come out when he heard people calling him, he responded, “You guys said that we did this for a show.”

Richard – a storm chaser and sometime handyman and contractor – appeared on the reality television series, Wife Swap, with Mayumi and their three sons. They had another show in development which has now been cancelled.

For a list of other families who have fooled the public in the past – from bogus child prodigies to staged kidnappings – click here.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today