Sheriff: "Falcon Heene Balloon Boy Family Put on a Good Show" - 10-18-09

Oct 18, 2009 - Jim Alderden discusses interviews with Mr. and Mrs. Heene, whos son was believed missing aboard a balloon. "They are Actors"

The family of the Fort Collins boy, Falcon Heene, engineered the incident in order to better market themselves for a reality television show, Alderden told reporters at a news conference.

The incident Thursday prompted a widespread search, including the Federal Aviation Administration and the Colorado National Guard. It ended when Falcon climbed down from the attic above the garage at the family's home.

Earlier Sunday, sheriff's deputies were seen entering and leaving the Heene home.

A dispatcher with the Larimer County Sheriff's Department declined to release any information about the search.

"We anticipate criminal charges will be filed sometime in the near future," Alderden told CNN
The case of a giant Mylar balloon, which ascended into the sky late last week amid fears a 6-year-old boy was aboard, has been determined to be a "hoax" and a "publicity stunt," Larimer County, Colorado, Sheriff Jim Alderden said Sunday.

Speculation over whether Thursday's incident, which prompted a widespread search, was a hoax has mounted against Heene, father of three young boys. Explainer: How 'balloon boy' drama began »

Heene and his wife, Mayumi, have insisted their fears over Falcon going were genuine, and not a publicity stunt. The family has appeared on ABC's "Wife Swap" and posted videos of storm-chasing and other activities online.

Responding to a reporter's question about speculation earlier in the day, Heene said, "Absolutely no hoax."

If it were determined that the incident was a hoax, the only charge local authorities could press would be making a false report to authorities -- a Class 3 misdemeanor, Alderden told reporters Saturday.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Sheriff
• Falcon
• Heene
• Balloon
• Boy
• Put
• on
• Good
• Show
• 10
• 18
• 09

[MrGARDENA310]

HOAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sweetypie000]

nice how the parents thanks americas hospitality by trying the defraud the people and the system

i think it was a scam by the TV broadcasters for ratings imo. they could have easily netted that ballon with a chopper or used a guy dangling out of a helicopter on a line

[Stilllookingforacure]

Drucef are you reading this?

[SpartaClan]

The media got their money's worth... Trust me.

[sweetypie000]

it already was a major disaster

i'd have attempted it to save a kid, any option is worth pursuing

[Travass83]

thats dumb to use a copter what if the wind was to increase wind is not predictable a gust could have easily made it a major disaster

[Travass83]

POWNED!!!

[TwistedxL3G3ND]

lol good one, but its my turn now.

i bet ur moms alredy become useless from all the loads ive drOpped on her OOOOOHHHHHHHH ownd just ownd....

[Beausifman]

you can assume all you want, but please try to be a little funny. You'd better finish your homework and stop jerking off on your mom's computer before the keyboard becomes useless from all the loads you've dropped on it.

[TwistedxL3G3ND]

lol, i love where this conversation is headed. i must have hit the nail on the head, Mr. Maid, i can safely ASSUME now that you DO clean houses in Beverly Hills and when you finish you use your bosses computer, huh? LOL. Well make sure kitchen is clean, you know how the boss doesn't like dirty kitchens. ;D

[Beausifman]

Your mom is the one cleaning houses, and I'm sure you'll be taking over the family business soon enough. Stop using your mommys computer, you wouldn't want her to see how her little boy talks to strangers. Play nice.