Sheriff: Balloon Boy Incident Was Not a Hoax

Us Magazine - October 16, 2009 11:39 AM PDT
Story photo: Sheriff: Balloon Boy Incident Was Not a HoaxJohn Moore/Getty ImagesUs Magazine

The Fort Collins, Colorado sheriff's department said Friday that the incident involving a 6-year-old boy who was thought to be in a homemade helium-filled balloon that floated away appeared to be a "real event" and not the result of a publicity stunt.

Sheriff Jim Alderden said that after re-interviewing Falcon Heene's parents, the department concluded it was "inconceivable" that the boy had been coached by his parents to hide in the attic for five hours.

Watch an old video of Falcon, 6, rapping

Alderden called Falcon a "hyperactive boy" who was likely frightened because he was responsible for un-tethering the balloon.

He said that authorities were convinced that Heene's parents were being "honest" based on their statements, emotions and body language.

But he did admit, "I would say this is not a typical American family." (The boys' parents are storm chasers who appeared in the ABC reality show Wife Swap.) Added Alderden, "They engage in behaviors a lot of us don't. Obviously, it's very different family dynamics than most of us experience."

Remember these celeb scandals?

Questions were raised about the incident after the boy said "we did this for a show" in a live interview with CNN. andnbsp;

The boy's father, Richard Heene, sternly denied hoax rumors on all the morning talk shows Friday.

See more controversial reality stars

"Now I am starting to get a little ticked off because I am repetitively getting asked this in the last couple of interviews," he told NBC's Meredith Vieira. "What do I have to gain about this? I am not selling anything. I am not advertising anything."

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comments 1-10 of 14  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • noname
    Their horrible acting on the "wife swap" episode was so fake
    report abuseposted November 11, 2009 2:46 PM PST
  • Jenny
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    report abuseposted October 24, 2009 8:00 AM PDT
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    LOL... Search "ec4bag" on google to Get High quality luxury bags, 100% genuine leather, only $98-$198, Free shipping worldwide, WOW... Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Fendi, Coach, Miu Miu, Dior, Hermes, Chloe, D&G and UGG boots
    report abuseposted October 16, 2009 7:06 PM PDT
  • He has nothing to gain? he said from "all the morning talk shows." LOL Who would use their children for gain? Um, let's see, Gosslins, Lohans, for just a start. It must have been boring after their stint on Wife Swap. How can they get attention again?? Oh, I know!! Stunt! Bring out phony emotions learned on Wife Swap and convince the sheriff. LOL Next they'll
    report abuseposted October 16, 2009 12:55 PM PDT
  • Use a coupon OR ELSE!
    Look up this family on YouTube.. the father is a complete utter nut case. Little kids can lie but very few can keep a lie going for long, especially with all the attention thats focused on him. The parents are in financial t trouble,the father runs a site called thepsyiencedetectives.c o m. They have been looking for someone to make another show about their weather exploits.
    report abuseposted October 16, 2009 12:42 PM PDT
  • Shirley
    I too am suspect of this whole thing, the father is a real drama queen.
    report abuseposted October 16, 2009 12:26 PM PDT
  • keepingitreal
    I really, really hope this was not a hoax. I was really upset yesterday afternoon thinking that little boy had fallen to his death. I just hope that he hid because he knew he was in trouble, but being six did not understand the gravity of the situation.
    report abuseposted October 16, 2009 12:14 PM PDT
  • KC
    The sad part is that they may end up getting a show of their own after this. I am with the majority......STUNT.
    report abuseposted October 16, 2009 12:07 PM PDT
  • Tyler
    Ok, this should be it. End O' story.
    report abuseposted October 16, 2009 11:56 AM PDT
  • Connie
    I bet that sheriff finds it inconceivable that a parent could harm their own child. He needs to wake up and see the world is a crazy place these days.
    report abuseposted October 16, 2009 11:47 AM PDT
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