Jump to content

Balloon boy hoax

Coordinates: 40°30′38″N 105°4′27″W / 40.51056°N 105.07417°W / 40.51056; -105.07417
Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Balloon Boy)

"Balloon boy" redirects here. For the Five Nights at Freddy's character, see Five Nights at Freddy's.
Balloon boy hoax
In Search of a Flightless Falcon, Colorado Aviators Help in Search for Lost Boy DVIDS213676
Colorado Army National Guard aviators search for 6-year-old Falcon Heene
DateOctober 15, 2009 (2009-10-15)
Time
  • 11:29 a.m. – 1:35 p.m. MDT
  • (17:29 – 19:35 UTC)
LocationFort Collins, Colorado, U.S.
Coordinates40°30′38″N 105°4′27″W / 40.51056°N 105.07417°W / 40.51056; -105.07417

The Balloon Boy hoax occurred on October 15, 2009, when a homemade helium-filled gas balloon shaped to resemble a silver flying saucer was released into the atmosphere above Fort Collins, Colorado, by Richard and Mayumi Heene. They then claimed that their six-year-old son Falcon was trapped inside it. Authorities confirmed the balloon reached 7,000 feet (2,100 m) during its 90-minute flight.[1][2][3][4] The event attracted worldwide attention,[1][5] and Falcon was nicknamed "Balloon Boy" in the media.[6]

National Guard helicopters and local police pursued the balloon. After flying for more than an hour and approximately 50 miles (80 km),[7] the balloon landed about 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Denver International Airport. When Falcon was not found inside and it was reported that an object had been seen falling from the balloon, a search was begun.[3] Later that day, the boy was found hiding in the attic of his home, where he had apparently been the entire time.[8]

Suspicions of a hoax soon arose, particularly after an interview with Wolf Blitzer on Larry King Live that same evening. Asked why he was hiding, Falcon said to his father, "You guys said that, um, we did this for the show," apparently revealing that the Heenes had staged the incident as a publicity stunt.[9] On October 18, 2009, Larimer County sheriff Jim Alderden announced his conclusion that the incident was a hoax and that the parents would likely face several felony charges.[10][11] On November 13, 2009, Richard Heene pleaded guilty to attempting to influence a public servant. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail and ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution, and Mayumi Heene was sentenced to 20 days of weekend jail.[12][13]

Following the incident, the Heene family has maintained their innocence, claiming that they were pressured into a guilty plea under the threat of Mayumi Heene's deportation.[14] On December 23, 2020, the Heenes were pardoned by Governor Jared Polis.[15]

Background

Richard Heene (/ˈhiːni/) and Mayumi Iizuka met at an acting school in Hollywood, California, and married in 1997.[16][17][18] Heene had tried acting and stand-up comedy without success and, for a time, he and his wife ran a home business producing demo reels for actors. Heene is also a handyman. Associates described him as a shameless self-promoter who would do almost anything to advance his latest endeavor.[19] Heene became a storm chaser in the 1970s after a storm took the roof off a building he was working on.[19] Heene's storm chasing has included riding a motorcycle into a tornado and reportedly flying a plane around the perimeter of Hurricane Wilma in 2005.[19] He regularly involved his children in his endeavors, taking them along on UFO-hunting expeditions and storm-chasing missions.[19][20] The Heenes have three sons named Falcon, Bradford and Ryo.

A domestic violence investigation was launched at the Heenes' home in February 2009, after Mayumi was seen with a mark on her cheek and broken blood vessels in her left eye. No charges were filed due to lack of evidence.[21]

The family had been featured on the reality television show Wife Swap on two occasions, the second time as a fan-favorite choice for the show's 100th episode.[20][22] During his time on the show, Heene expressed his alleged belief that humanity descended from aliens and spoke of launching home-made flying saucers into storms.[19] Heene had unsuccessfully sought the media's interest in a proposed reality show called The PSIence Detectives, which he envisioned as a documentary series "to investigate the mysteries of science".[20] Months before the balloon incident Heene had pitched a reality show idea to the television channel TLC, but the network passed on the offer. After the balloon incident, the producer of Wife Swap said that a show involving the Heenes had been in development, but that the deal was now off. The producer declined to provide specifics.[20] The Lifetime channel had been set to air one of the Wife Swap episodes involving the Heenes on October 29, 2009, but the station pulled the episode because of the balloon incident.[23]

Helium balloon

Richard Heene said the saucer-shaped balloon was an early prototype of a vehicle which "people can pull out of their garage and hover above traffic".[24] He also stated that, once "the high voltage timer" was switched on, the balloon "would emit one million volts every five minutes for one minute"[25] in order to "move left and right—horizontal".[26]

The balloon, 20 feet (6.1 m) in diameter and 5 feet (1.5 m) high,[1] was constructed from plastic tarps taped together, covered with an aluminum foil and held together with string and duct tape. Its base, in which Falcon allegedly rode, was a box made from a very thin piece of plywood and cardboard on the side, also held together by string and duct tape.[27][28]

Fully inflated, a balloon of this size would contain just over 1,000 cubic feet (28 m3) of helium.[29] Helium's lift capacity at sea level and 0 °C is 1.113 kg/m3 (0.07 lbs/ft3) and decreases at higher altitudes and at higher temperatures. The volume of helium in the balloon has been estimated as being able to lift a total load, including the balloon material and the structure beneath it, of 65 pounds (29 kg) at sea level and 48 pounds (22 kg) at 8,000 feet (2,400 m).[29]

Fort Collins is at an elevation of about 5,000 feet (1,500 m) and the balloon was estimated to have reached 7,000 feet (2,100 m).[1][30][31]

Incident

Location of Fort Collins in Larimer County in Colorado

The family said they first suspected Falcon Heene was missing when, immediately after the balloon had taken off, Falcon's brother told them that he had seen the six-year-old climb into the balloon's basket beforehand. A home video released the following day shows the launch of the balloon. Richard inspects the basket, then his family count down in unison "three, two, one" before releasing the cord.[32][33] Apparently believing the balloon to be tethered a few feet from the ground,[32] the family starts screaming in distress when it floats off into the sky. Richard Heene, who can be seen kicking the wood frame that supported the balloon, yelled amidst myriad obscene words, "You didn't put the fucking tether down!"[33] Falcon is nowhere to be seen and nobody mentions the possibility of Falcon being in the balloon.[32]

According to initial reports from the sheriff, the family first called the Federal Aviation Administration, although later the sheriff's office stated that "they had no confirmation that Richard Heene actually made the call to the FAA."[34] They then called Denver NBC affiliate KUSA-TV; they reportedly requested that the station send a news helicopter to track the balloon's progress,[35][36][37] and then called emergency services. During the call to 911 at 11:29 a.m. local time (MDT) Richard Heene said, "I don't know whether it's possible you guys could detect the electricity that it emits ... it emits a million volts on the outer skin."[38][39]

The balloon, tracked by helicopters, drifted for 60 miles (97 km), passing through Adams County and Weld County. Planes were rerouted around the balloon's flight path. Reports that Denver International Airport was briefly shut down were later determined to be incorrect.[40] The balloon finally landed two hours later at around 1:35 p.m. local time near Keenesburg, 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Denver International Airport.[41][42]

When the boy was not found inside the balloon, officials expressed concern that he might have fallen out during the flight. Although it was reported that it did not appear breached,[1] Margie Martinez of the Weld County Sheriff's Office said that the door was unlocked in the balloon. A sheriff deputy reported seeing something fall from the balloon near Platteville, Colorado, and a photograph of the balloon in flight with a small black dot below was said to suggest the boy may have fallen out or that something had detached from the balloon.[43] Search and rescue crews in Colorado searched for the boy.[44]

At approximately 4:14 p.m., CNN and other news reported that the boy was found hiding in a cardboard box in rafters above the garage,[1] but county sheriff Jim Alderden later said, "For all we know he may have been two blocks down the road playing on the swing in the city park."

The total cost of the search and rescue efforts was estimated at over $40,000.[45] The helicopter flights alone during the rescue operation cost about $14,500.[46] The Colorado National Guard assisted the effort with UH-60 Black Hawk and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.[47]

Hoax allegations and criminal investigation

Investigation

After the incident, several news agencies began questioning whether it was a hoax.[48] Editor & Publisher pointed out that "few had raised the issue of whether such a balloon could even lift off with a 50-pound (23 kg) kid inside and then float the way it did" during the flight.[49] The police initially said it did not appear to be a hoax,[50] but when Falcon and his family were being interviewed later in the day by Wolf Blitzer on CNN's Larry King Live he asked Falcon, "Why did you not come out of the garage?" After his parents repeated the question, he responded, "You guys said that, um, we did this for the show."[9] Blitzer questioned Heene and Falcon further after the statement was made. The next day, during interviews on ABC's Good Morning America and NBC's Today, the boy vomited when he was asked about his comment and again when his father was asked about it, fueling more suspicion.[51]

Falcon's answers prompted the sheriff's office to pursue further investigations as to whether the incident was part of a publicity stunt.[52] On October 16, Alderden said that "the suggestion that the boy [...] was coached to hide seems inconceivable."[53]

Researcher Robert Thomas sold a story to Gawker alleging that he had helped plan a publicity stunt involving a weather balloon and investigators expressed a desire to interview him.[54] Larimer County Sheriff's officials had consulted a Colorado State University physics professor, Brian Jones, who initially determined, based on the dimensions provided by Richard Heene, that the balloon could plausibly lift off with a boy of Falcon's reported size (37 pounds or 17 kilograms). However, when authorities later measured the balloon, they concluded it was not large enough to lift the child.[7][27] Upon inspecting the balloon, authorities learned it weighed 18 pounds (8.2 kg) more than Heene had said. Alderden said the base of the balloon could have handled 37 pounds (17 kg) without breaking, but to get airborne with those 37 pounds (17 kg) inside it would have to have been attached to a larger balloon.[28]

After viewing the home video of the balloon launch, Alderden said the balloon appeared to have been rising very quickly.[32]

During a press conference on October 18, Alderden called the incident a hoax, stating "we believe we have evidence at this point to indicate that this was a publicity stunt in hopes to better market themselves for a reality show." He also said that charges in the case have not yet been filed but that the parents could face both misdemeanor and felony charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, filing a false report with authorities and attempting to influence a public servant.[10][11] Alderden stated that his comments on October 16 were part of a "game plan" to keep the Heenes' trust.[55]

Richard Heene's lawyer, David Lane, announced on October 19 that Richard and Mayumi Heene would surrender to police as soon as charges were filed, and plead not guilty.[56]

Throughout the Balloon boy hoax investigation, the couple had a list of potential fines and penalties before the sentencing began. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed a fine of $11,000 USD for the "launching of an unauthorized aircraft." An FAA spokesman, Mike Fergus, later revealed that they had completed their investigation, but no details were released after the investigation. The couple also had proposed fines for Richard Heene for committing a class 4 felony; he could have received two to six years in prison and fines between $2,000 to $500,000. Mayumi Heene was also facing a potential penalty; by committing a class 3 misdemeanor, she could receive up to six months in prison and a fine ranging from $50 to $750.   

According to the supporting affidavit that law enforcement submitted with their application for a search warrant, Mayumi later admitted that she "knew all along that Falcon was hiding in the residence."[57] The affidavit alleges that the couple planned the hoax about two weeks before releasing the balloon on October 15 and "instructed their three children to lie to authorities as well as the media regarding this hoax", for the purpose of making the family "more marketable for future media interests."[58]

Guilty plea

Richard Heene's attorney announced on November 12, 2009, that both parents intended to plead guilty to the charges filed against them, for which the prosecutor would recommend probation.[59] The attorney's statement said that the threat of deportation of his wife, Mayumi Heene, who is a Japanese citizen, was a major factor in the plea negotiations.[60] On November 13, Richard Heene pleaded guilty to a felony charge of attempting to influence a public servant. Mayumi Heene did not appear with him, but still faced a misdemeanor charge of false reporting to authorities.[61]

On December 23, 2009, a judge sentenced Richard Heene to 90 days in jail and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to write a formal apology to the agencies that searched for Falcon. Mayumi Heene was sentenced to 20 days in jail, to be served through jail-supervised community service for two days a week. Mayumi was also allowed to begin her sentence after her husband's ended in order to ensure her children would be cared for, and the Heenes were also banned from receiving any profits from the hoax for several years.[62] Richard Heene was also ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution.[13] Governor Polis issued pardons to the Heenes in 2020, saying they had already "paid the price in the eyes of the public" and that it was time for Colorado to move on from the case as it was a waste of precious time of the law enforcement, military enforcement, and the general public. Polis eventually removed Mayumi's misdemeanor charge and Richard's felony charge from their records, stating they deserved a second chance and still have the burden of guilt on them. Polis said, "It's time to no longer let a permanent criminal record from the balloon boy saga follow and drag down the parents for the rest of their lives."[63]

Post-conviction developments

On January 7, 2010, Richard Heene began to claim in media interviews that he only pleaded guilty to prevent his wife's potential deportation.[64] In a 2015 interview with Today, Heene repeated the claim that the incident was not a hoax.[65] In a 2019 interview with ABC News, the Heene family continued to maintain that the incident was not a hoax, with Mayumi Heene claiming to have confessed out of fear of deportation.[66]

In an interview with the family for 5280, Mayumi brought forth handwritten notes for her attorney recounting the days preceding the event.[67] In them, she details the original plan was to have Falcon hide in the basement, where the family would discover him and call off the search. However, Falcon instead hid in the attic above the garage, creating genuine confusion and genuine tearfulness at their reunion. When 5280 confronted Richard about the existence of the notes, he reacted angrily towards Mayumi, during which she admitted to fabricating the story in the handwritten notes to save her family's reputation.

Media attention

For hours, the incident received extensive media coverage in many parts of the world, with local TV helicopters broadcasting live video of the balloon and rescue operation.[68] The incident also sparked a "balloon boy" Internet meme, as the events were closely followed in blogs and social networking sites in real time, generating speculation, image editing jokes and parodies[69][70] of the story, which started even when the boy's safety was uncertain.[71][72] "Balloon boy" became the No. 1 search on Google within hours of the event and 34 of the top 40 searches on Google were related to Falcon Heene and the incident.[73] On Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update, the balloon was interviewed by Seth Meyers.[74]

In July 2011, Richard Heene auctioned the balloon, selling it to Mike Fruitman—an Aurora, Colorado, businessman—for $2,502.[75] Heene said that proceeds would go to victims of the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.[75]

Criticism

Editor & Publisher noted that "only after the crash did TV hosts stress that reports of [a] boy in it were 'unverified' and raise the possibility of a hoax."[76]

Experts and commentators also criticized the media's vetting process, questioned the separation between journalism and reality television and raised concerns about the exploitation of children for news stories.[77] Robert Thompson, of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, said that the incident "was a wake-up call to the media but it's a wake-up call that every single one of us is going to sleep through." Thompson blamed technology rather than the media for the problem: "There are two technological phenomena driving this—one is television satellite trucks and the ability to broadcast from anywhere and two is an unlimited number of platforms to place this stuff."[78]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "6-year-old Colorado boy found alive in attic after balloon lands". CNN. October 15, 2009. Archived from the original on October 18, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  2. ^ "Boy trapped in "UFO-like balloon" floating over Colorado". The Daily Telegraph. October 15, 2009. Archived from the original on October 18, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Missing "balloon boy" found hiding in attic". The New Zealand Herald. Auckland, New Zealand. October 15, 2009.
  4. ^ "Boy said to have floated off in balloon found safe". Associated Press. October 15, 2009. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  5. ^ Johnson, Craig (October 16, 2009). "World watches odyssey of "Balloon Boy" in real time". CNN. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  6. ^ Cheney, Peter (October 15, 2009). "Balloon boy rescuers had few options". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Canada. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Mitchell, Kirk (October 19, 2009). "Balloon boy saga "absolutely...a hoax," Larimer sheriff says". The Denver Post. Denver, Colorado. Archived from the original on October 21, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  8. ^ "Feared lost in balloon, boy found at home". NBC News. Fort Collins, Colorado. October 15, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Ramachandran, Arjun (October 16, 2009). ""Balloon boy" hoax fears after Falcon says "we did this for the show"". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  10. ^ a b Whitcomb, Dan (October 18, 2009). ""Balloon boy" case a hoax, says sheriff; charges coming". Reuters. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  11. ^ a b Stelter, Brian (October 18, 2009). "Calling Story of Boy and Balloon a Hoax, Sheriff Seeks Felony Charges". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  12. ^ "Balloon boy parents are sent to jail for hoax". Archived from the original on December 26, 2009.
  13. ^ a b Karin Devlin (April 21, 2010). "Balloon hoax dad must pay restitution". CNN. Archived from the original on April 24, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  14. ^ Riccardi, Nicholas (January 7, 2010). "Father of 'balloon boy' denies hoax". Los Angeles Times.
  15. ^ "Parents convicted in 2009 'balloon boy' hoax pardoned". Associated Press. December 23, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  16. ^ Elliott, Dan (October 18, 2009). "Sheriff: Boy-in-balloon was hoax, charges expected". Fort Collins, Colorado. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 27, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  17. ^ "Friend: Balloon mom will 'go down with the ship'". Associated Press. October 22, 2009. Archived from the original on October 27, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2009.
  18. ^ "Marriage Certificate". Clark County Recorder's Office. October 22, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  19. ^ a b c d e Elliott, Dan (October 18, 2009). "Balloon dad never shy about his bizarre stunts". Fort Collins, Colorado. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 27, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  20. ^ a b c d Elliott, Dan (November 12, 2009). "Family at center of balloon saga under scrutiny". Fort Collins, Colorado. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 24, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  21. ^ Fisher, Luchina (October 19, 2009). "Balloon Boy Mom: Co-Conspirator or Abused Wife?". ABC News. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  22. ^ "Wife Swap - Episode Guide - Heene/Silver". ABC. Archived from the original on August 12, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  23. ^ "Lifetime pulls balloon boy's 'Wife Swap' episode from schedule". CNN. October 20, 2009. Archived from the original on October 24, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  24. ^ "Falcon Heene fuss all over "hovercar" experiment". news.com.au. October 16, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  25. ^ "Transcripts". Larry King Live. CNN. October 17, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  26. ^ "TRANSCRIPT: Frantic 911 Call From Parents of 'Balloon Boy' - Local News | News Articles | National News". FOXNews. October 16, 2009. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  27. ^ a b "Balloon parents "put on a very good show for us"". The Telegram. Fort Collins, Colorado. October 18, 2009. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  28. ^ a b "Balloon "not capable of lifting off" with the boy, Colorado police say". CNN. October 18, 2009. Archived from the original on October 21, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  29. ^ a b Pew, Glenn. "Balloon Boy - Some Math Behind The Story". AVweb. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  30. ^ Kates, Brian; Goldsmith, Samuel (October 19, 2009). "Balloon boy's dad Richard Heene was arrested in 1997, spent 4 days in gaol". New York Daily News. New York City, New York. Archived from the original on October 22, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  31. ^ Owens, Ryan; McCarthy, Tom; Schabner, Dean (October 18, 2009). ""A Hoax ... a Publicity Stunt": Sheriff Lowers Boom on Heene Family Over Balloon Gambit". ABC News. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  32. ^ a b c d Gathright, Alan (October 16, 2009). "Raw Home Video Of Balloon Launch Fuels Questions". KMGH-TV. Fort Collins, Colorado. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  33. ^ a b Braidwood, Joe (October 17, 2009). "Balloon Drama Video Fuels Hoax Claims". Sky News. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  34. ^ "'Balloon boy' father called FAA, then 9NEWS, before calling 9-1-1". Thaindian.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2009. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
  35. ^ Banda, P. Solomon; Moreno, Ivan (October 17, 2009). "Was balloon drama all a gag?". thestar.com. Toronto. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  36. ^ Brian Stelter and Dan Frosch (October 16, 2009). "Doubts Came Early in Balloon Incident". The New York Times.
  37. ^ Neil Katz (January 15, 2007). "Balloon Boy Falcon Heene 911 Call Released - Crimesider". CBS News. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  38. ^ "Larimer County Sheriff's Office Incident Blotter (Thursday, October 15, 2009)". Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  39. ^ "TRANSCRIPT: Frantic 911 Call From Parents of 'Balloon Boy' - Local News | News Articles | National News". FOXNews. October 16, 2009. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  40. ^ "Balloon boy charges may not come until next week". Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California). AP. October 16, 2009. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  41. ^ "On Deadline: Breaking News & Must-Read Stories". Blogs.usatoday.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
  42. ^ Ortega, Tony. "BALLOON BOY IN GARAGE THE WHOLE TIME - New York News - Runnin' Scared". Blogs.villagevoice.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2009. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
  43. ^ "Picture of falling object from balloon is ominous for Fort Collins Heene family". Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
  44. ^ "Crews Launch Search Effort For Ft. Collins Boy". Archived from the original on October 17, 2009.
  45. ^ "'Balloon boy' parents sentenced to jail time". NBC News. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  46. ^ "Colo. sheriff calls balloon saga a hoax". MSNBC. April 21, 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  47. ^ "DefenseLink News Article: Guard Called in for 'Balloon Boy' Rescue". Defenselink.mil. March 12, 2009. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  48. ^ "The Family behind the "Balloon Boy" Story". CBS News. October 15, 2009.
  49. ^ "'Boy in Balloon' Captivates Media: Balloon Lands And He's Not Inside--Hiding in Attic--Hoax?". Editor and Publisher. Archived from the original on October 18, 2009.
  50. ^ "Balloon aftermath...Recovery warning...Lindsay Lohan". Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  51. ^ "Balloon boy gets sick twice during TV interviews'". Associated Press. October 16, 2009. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  52. ^ "Home Video Raises Questions Over Heene Family Balloon Ordeal". Fox News. January 14, 2015. Archived from the original on October 16, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  53. ^ "Sheriffs Say Boy Could Have been In Balloon". KION. Associated Press. October 16, 2009. Archived from the original on August 14, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  54. ^ "Americas | Balloon family 'ready for arrest'". BBC News. October 19, 2009. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  55. ^ "Balloon boy family feels "under siege," lawyer says". CNN. Fort Collins, Colorado. October 19, 2009. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  56. ^ Frosch, Dan (October 19, 2009). "Parents in Balloon Case to Surrender". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 5, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  57. ^ "Authorities: Balloon Boy's Mom Says Saga a Hoax". FOXNews. October 23, 2009. Archived from the original on May 8, 2018.
  58. ^ "Documents: 'Balloon boy' dad had hoax in mind, wife says". CNN. October 23, 2009. Archived from the original on October 25, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  59. ^ "Lawyer: 'Balloon boy' parents to plead guilty to hoax-related charges". CNN. November 12, 2009. Archived from the original on November 13, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  60. ^ "Balloon boy parents to plead guilty". CBC News. November 2009. Archived from the original on November 15, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  61. ^ "Father of 'balloon boy' pleads guilty". CNN. November 13, 2009. Archived from the original on November 15, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2009.
  62. ^ "US balloon boy parents are given jail sentences". BBC. December 23, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
  63. ^ "'Balloon Boy' Parents Pardoned By Colorado Governor For 2009 Hoax". NPR. December 24, 2020. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  64. ^ Riccardi, Nicholas (January 7, 2010). "Father of 'balloon boy' denies hoax". Los Angeles Times.
  65. ^ Murray, Elizabeth (September 20, 2015). "'It wasn't a hoax': Heene family reflects on 'balloon boy' headlines". TODAY.com. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  66. ^ "10 years later, 'balloon boy' and his family speak out". ABC News. October 29, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  67. ^ Sanchez, Robert (October 2019). "The Balloon Boy Hoax—Solved!". 5280. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  68. ^ Davies, Anne (October 17, 2009). "A balloon ride to fame, or maybe just hot air'". The Age. Melbourne.
  69. ^ "New iPhone App Detects Balloon Hoaxes". Borowitz Report. Archived from the original on October 30, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  70. ^ "Balloon Boy Jiffy Pop". Notthelatimes.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  71. ^ "Boy in balloon captivates news-hungry Web'".
  72. ^ "Balloon Boy - Quickest Meme Ever?'". Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  73. ^ "'Balloon boy' dominates Google search engine". The Gazette. October 15, 2009. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  74. ^ "SNL Mocks News Coverage Of Balloon Boy Hoax (VIDEO)". HuffPost. March 18, 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  75. ^ a b Cox, John Woodrow (July 20, 2011). "Balloon Boy's flying machine sold to Colorado business owner". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  76. ^ "'Boy in Balloon' Captivates Media: Did They Blow the Story?". Editorandpublisher.com. October 15, 2009. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  77. ^ Amster, Sara-Ellen (October 22, 2009). "Up, Up and Away: How TV News Blew It". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on October 25, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
  78. ^ Woollard, Rob (October 20, 2009). "Lessons of balloon hoax to go unlearned: analysts". AFP. Archived from the original on April 15, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2009.

Balloon Boy (2024) - short documentary about the balloon boy hoax

External image
image icon Picture of balloon landing in a field
Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Balloon_boy_hoax&oldid=1259880797"