"Balloon Boy" Incident a Hoax: Sheriff

The Larimer County Sheriff has declared the "Balloon Boy" incident a hoax, that was designed in the hope of marketing the Heene Family for a reality television show sometime in the future. Charges have not yet been filed, but most likely will be.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said that among the charges being considered for Richard Heene and his wife Mayumi are three felonies: conspiracy between the husband and the wife to commit a crime, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and an attempt to influence a public servant, the last of which carries a prison term of six years. They could also add filing a false report to the charges, which is a misdemeanor.

The nation stood transfixed on Thursday while authorities and media chased a flying saucer-shaped helium-filled balloon 50 miles from the Heenes' home to a soft landing. It was believed that six-year-old Falcon Heene was on the craft, but in reality he was not, and was later found hiding in a box in the attic of the family's garage.

After elation over the boy being safe died down, thoughts turned to a hoax. The Heene's case was not helped when, appearing on CNN, Falcon said the reason he did not respond to calls out to him, he said "You had said that we did this for the show," that's pretty telling. In fact, watch the video below, and see the evidence.

Additionally, more suspicions were raised when it became known the family had appeared twice on the ABC show "Wife Swap," and had pitched reality TV show ideas to TLC and the "Wife Swap" creators.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said at a news conference in Fort Collins, CO:

“It has been determined that this is a hoax, that it was a publicity stunt. We have evidence to indicate it was a publicity stunt done with the hope of marketing themselves to a realty television show sometime in the future.”

Authorities re-interviewed the family yesterday, as well as conduction searches of their computers, e-mail records and documents in their home. Alderden said the plan to launch a balloon and tell authorities that Falcon was aboard was made as long as two weeks ago.

Alderden added that child protective services would be reviewing the case and determining whether the Heene children are in any danger. Reportedly, all three children knew of the Thursday hoax.

Richard Heene added to the strangeness yesterday when, saying the family did not have cable to see what was being said about his family, he placed a box out in front of the house, telling reporters to place their questions in it.