Runaway Balloon! Child Rescue Mission Or Child Abuse?

Was 'Balloon Boy' Scare a Hoax?

Fort Collins, Colorado. A 6-year-old boy who was feared to have fallen to his death from a homemade helium balloon has been found safe, but questions are arising about whether the scare was a stunt.

The giant home-made balloon floated away from the familys yard Thursday morning. The boy's older brother said 6-year-old Falcon Heene had been playing inside the balloon, sparking a frantic rescue operation that involved military helicopters and briefly halted some departures from Denver International Airport.

More than two hours after the balloon landed, empty, authorities said Falcon had been found hiding in the attic of the family's home.

The boys father, Richard Heene, said the family was tinkering with the balloon Thursday and that he scolded Falcon for getting inside a compartment on the craft. The boy allegedly hid in the attic after his father yelled at him.

But during a live interview with CNN, Falcon said he had heard his family calling his name.

``Why didnt you come out? Richard Heene asked his son.

Falcon answered, ``You had said that we did this for a show.

The boys parents have appeared twice in the ABC reality show ``Wife Swap, most recently in March.

Richard Heene adamantly denied the notion that the whole thing was a big publicity stunt. ``Thats horrible after the crap we just went through. No.

The sheriff said he would meet with investigators on Friday to see if the case warranted further investigation.

"At this point theres no indication that this was a hoax, Alderden said.

AP

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[wuzzupie]

How is a hellium ballon gonna carry a 6-year old boy?!? How much do 6year old weigh like... 70??? Even a ballon that big couldn't carry a child like that... I kinda thought it was real but I never knew it was a hellium ballon... I thought it couldve been something else

[MrRoderik3000]

its like's it a chefs hat :P

[runerockgod7]

You can see the fucking string attaching it to the ground.

[TREEVVV5000]

@MrRoderik3000 If it wasnt a hoax i wouldnt laugh but right now IMAO! XD

[rb13818]

is it a Fail UFO atmpt?xD

[rb13818]

is it a Fail UFO atmpt?xD

[situlo]

that would be a fun ride

[halfahuman]

@wuzzupie yeah, if that had 70 lbs worth of lift it would've gotten alot higher than 6,000 feet.

[ejferrey83]

Humans are morons. You really thought that was one of ours. You can see where it was deflating on one side.

[bowchikabowwow222]

idk bout you that would be so fun

[Salien1999]

@wafflecraft I weighed 80.