Sheriff Dept. Press Conference on "Balloon Boy," Falcon Heene

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden holds a press conference the day after the Falcon heene "balloon boy" incident, as well as the fallout from the family's appearance on "Larry King Live" later that day.

Alderden said the department "searched the house three times... except for the place where the boy was hiding... There's no ladders to get up in the attic." Due to debris in the garage, they thought it would be impossible for the child to be in the attic.

The Sheriff also confirmed that a tip of there being a box in the attic was "erroneous information," confirming a "clear attic space that was flat."

Speaking on behalf of investigators, Alderden says: "We were convinced yesterday after talking to the parents and having investigators on scene... that the parents were being honest with us." He added that the family's emotions were "consistent with the events that were taking place."

Alderden also commented on the infamous Wolf Blitzer interview the family did later that day. "Clearly that has raised everybody's level of skepticism," he says. He added that investigators planned to "go back to the family and attempt to reinterview them to establish whether this is in fact a hoax." He said such an interview would be conducted later this weekend, as the family is very "fatigued" today.

"Certainly people are free to speculate... but those of us in the law enforcement profession have to operate on facts... and not on whay the public might think without any proof."

During the start of the question period, the Sheriff confirmed tha the boy's father, Richard, had first called the FAA after the balloon launch, and then a local TV station, before calling 911.

Alderden also told a reporter that he finds it "inconceivable" that Falcon would be told to stay in the attic and be quiet for a prolonged period of time. "I just don't see that happening as hyperactive as he is," he said.

Category:

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[standardgear]

its lame how Law Enforcement HAS to deal with PPL like this when theres violent criminals and real crime out there

the Heene's just waste our tax dollar resources and im sure fort collinsPD and larimer county sheriffs department would agree

[standardgear]

if the balloon is full of gases where would the boy be inside it? can he breathe in it

its obvious theres some wrong doing here

if your about to launch an aircraft wouldnt you look things over 1st?

balloons dont inflat themselves richard heene prepared and launched this unit and he is not blind or deaf

infact as a stormchaser im sure hes the type of person that pay attension to his surroundings

& if the boy is hyperactive im sure hes loud and makes his presents known

[LOLDISNEYLAND]

haha yeah top news! I really need to know about Lindsey Lohan because if I don't, my brain will esplodes!

[stamporomano]

I was looking at the bottom of the screen. This is CNN, Worldwide leader in news.

Balloon Family was featured on Wife Swap.

Judge warns Lindsay Lohan next probabtion means jail.

Wow. LOL.

[darksaga2006]

who cares??

jeez everybody talks about this bullshit. Get a life

[jerramy]

Could only happen in America.  Not the kid's doings, but the media's weight and influence that can blow this up to the point that this poor man has to waste his time and face his fear of public exposure (did well by the way). How much money and wasted time and

[csc9950]

haha you could tell that cop thought the whole thing was bull shit!

[bigcuy41]

Keystone Cops!

[moneybelt22]

irwin allens production of;

attack of the killer balloons