The balloon boy incident in Fort Collins, Colorado is now officially a hoax. The balloon boy hoax, which worried millions, has been deemed a hoax by Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden. Richard and Mayumi Heene, the boy’s parents, will likely face felony charges.
The balloon boy stunt had been planned for two weeks and was simply a marketing ploy by Richard and Mayumi Heene that hopefully would have landed them a reality TV deal in Los Angeles. The Heenes have already appeared on the ABC reality show “Wife Swap”.
Balloon boy hoax of Colorado.
It is also possible that others may have been involved and knew about the balloon boy hoax. Alderden condirmed that a media outlet has agreed to pay the Heenes for the balloon boy hoax. Alderden added:
“…including the possibility that even some of the media outlets may have had some knowledge about this.”
The five-hour search for Falcon Heene, the subject of the balloon boy hoax, had just been a waste of time and money. The search temporarily shut down Denver International Airport and prompted the National Guard to launch two helicopters, which cost $14,500, to rescue the boy. Falcon then was believed to be inside the homemade balloon shaped into a flying-saucer than hovered more than 50 miles above the ground, crossing two counties.
Colorado State University physics professor Brian Jones revealed that the balloon, being held together by duct tape, would not have been able to launch with the 37-pound Falcon Heene inside.
For the balloon boy hoax, Sheriff Alderden will recommend charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities, and attempting to influence a public servant. Federal charges were also possible. It is also possible that the couple face felony charges which would give them six years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
The sheriff said all three Heene boys knew about the balloon boy hoax, but probably will not face charges because of they are minors, even though one of the boys told investigators he saw his brother Falcon get in the balloon’s box before it launched.
