It made for a good story with a happy ending and kept the day from being boring!

Was it legit or a hoax? I really think it was on the level - why make it up for "publicity" knowing the amount of manpower that would be involved? I think it spiraled into a panic-situation in a hurry and once the media latches on, hang on to your seats. 

Either way, just glad it ended well. Most things these days don't.

I agree that its good it ended on a good note.  The other outcome would've been tragic to say the least. 

After what I heard on the radio this morning, I say it was a publicity stunt all the way.  FIrst, if they were there letting the balloon off, they would have been paying attention to their kids and where they were!

Second, the radio replayed a clip from some show where they were interviewed.  The interviewer said to the boy "did you hear your parents calling your name" and the boy said Yes.  Then he said "then why didn't you come out" and the boy said (I found the quote online) "You guys said that ... we did this for the show'

I saw that too, then he got sick. So it may have been a stunt but makes me wonder what the heck they were trying to accomplish? Sounds like a weird household. 

They do seem like some strange people. I think it was a pulicity stunt too.

The radio DJs also said they were on Wife Swap and were weirdos on that too.  So you know, most people on Wife Swap are eccentric to say the least!

Yeah, it was a hoax. They want a TV show. Poor kid screwed up and said it was for the show then ended up throwing up on two live shows when people asked him why he said that. Probably scared to death that he'll get in trouble if he says anything.

All those rescue workers and people spending time trying to save him when they could have been doing something for people who really needed it. Ticks me off and I feel sorry for the little boy stuck in the middle of all this.

They should bill the parents for all the hassle.

Publicity stunt...all the way.

I just feel bad for the little boy, I was watching live on NBC when he got sick, the father just looked disgusted and no one helped the poor kid. Then I had the chance to see the GMA show and he ran off the set to the bathroom and the host had to suggest to the mother that she go help the poor boy.

The order of the phone calls was also interesing, first to the FAA, then to the News Station and then 9-1-1.

Who knows the local FAA number, who would know that there was a local FAA number, and who would think to call it before 9-1-1?

If it was a stunt they should pay for the costs...

Tara, great points about the phone calls.  That settles it for me!  Any real concerned parents would have called 911 asap

Bring child neglect charges against the parents too. They sound like tools.

The father is a storm chaser, and he brings the kids.

The mother seems quiet, but I didn't see them on wife swap so who knows.

Nancy, I agree, child neglect sounds about right. Lets assume for a minute that the kid is telling the truth, he was hiding from his parents, and even when they called him he stayed hidden for hours? Also why did he have toys to play with in the rafters over the garage? If he had toys there, wouldn't they have gone looking for him there?

I agree. What kid stays hidden in a box for all that time when they are being called and looked for? And he clearly said, "You guys said it was all for the show." when asked why he didn't come out of his hiding place when he was being called for. The parents had nothing to say but "Man
and "No". Then the boy had two incidences of vomiting when being asked questions. I am an anxious person and I saw him on the shows. He was anxious because he was afraid to say the wrong thing, hence, getting sick from being so nervous.

TLC confirmed that the family approached them about a reality show about the family and they were turned down. And the father filmed the thing as it went up although it wasn't SUPPOSED to go up into the air. Too many holes. They need to be thoroughly investigated, the little boy needs very much to see a counselor, and I think the family should be made to pay for all the resources they used for their own crazy TV show plan.

The details of the story seem fishy to me. They just don't add up, however, the Sheriff said that he has no reason to think it was a hoax so maybe we aren't getting ALL of the details... time will tell. I feel sorry for the little boy- either way.

The police are going to re-interview them in light of the remark that the boy made about it all being for a show. No idea what will come of it.

I only saw the initial report, when the boy was missing.  TG I missed the hurling, I hope the parents get in BIG trouble regardless.  What a horrible thing to do to a child.   

I think that is an excellent idea. If this was a hoax for publicity I hope that they will have to foot the bill for the rescue pursuit.

Think of all the ppl who had to be called to duty to help the "poor boy"...OMG, I would throw myself in a jail cell if I was the mom, IMMEDIATELY. 

Yeah there's some fine parenting skills there lemme tell ya~!

The Larimer County Sheriff's Department is preparing to file charges against members of the Heene family over the balloon incident earlier this week.

Sheriff Jim Alderden indicated criminal charges could be filed against one or both parents.

He said the charges now would likely be misdemeanors, but that "hardly seems serious enough given the circumstances. Alderden also said he would consult with the DA and with the FAA about pursuing more "appropriate charges."

Alderden said deputies were working on a search warrant of the Heene's home.

The significance of a misdemeanor conviction is that authorities could go after the Heene family for the cost of emergency responders.

*********

I just hope those parents don't take all this out on the boy who innocently let it slip that it was a hoax. He has already had enough stress dealing with those two as his parents. And I definitely hope they have to pay every penny back that was spent as well as having child welfare services take a good long look at what's going on in that house.

Thanks for that post Patty, kind of what I pictured might happen.  That poor boy...

double post...sorry

Patty, I heard that last night too.

I am not shocked but saddened. The poor kids. I do hope they are required to pay back the money spent for the FAA, the Police, the Air National guard and on and on.

Well we called it. Hoax! So very sad. I hope the kids are cared for.

Yup. It's kind of amazing that almost everyone KNEW it was a hoax but the cops who said it definitely wasn't at first. The father has a past of seeking out attention to get a reality show but he went way too far this time.

The boy is simply a kid--following orders from parents so to obey, but now is in the middle!  Children services should evaluate the parents.  I am entirely for having the parents pay for all the unnecessary waste of resources--time, copters, National Guard pilots, police, etc.  IF for a moment, I thought my kid was gone in a run-away balloon, I would have used 911 without a second of hesitation.  Do I have a local FAA number??? [would be surprised, if I did!!]

I think they should destroy the balloon.  I bet that would really hurt these publicity hounds!

Meowmom I don't even know what FAA means.  Ridiculous that they called them first.  

vivasuzi said…

I think they should destroy the balloon.  I bet that would really hurt these publicity hounds!

Meowmom I don't even know what FAA means.  Ridiculous that they called them first.  

---

FYI:

FAA, or F.A.A. stands for Federal Aviation Administration.  That's the federal agency responsible for ATC (air traffic control) and lots of other aviation thingies.

Worst of all is that that kid's gonna have to go through life now being called "ballooon boy".  Not very flattering. 

Thanks for clarifying that for Vivasuzi, since I'm just checking back in now--since that post! In this area I would have to call the police--as not FAA listing.