6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
Sorry, couldn't get the link to come up...but is all over the news here. The parents of the 6yro built a homemade helium balloon, the kid got into it & is floating around over the skies of Colorado...Never ceases to amaze me how stupid some parents are.
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Oscar Namechange
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6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
qsducks;1252348 wrote: Sorry, couldn't get the link to come up...but is all over the news here. The parents of the 6yro built a homemade helium balloon, the kid got into it & is floating around over the skies of Colorado...Never ceases to amaze me how stupid some parents are. Horrific... The poor child must be terrified right now. Please keep this updated Ducks.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. R.L. Binyon
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Oscar Namechange
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6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
qsducks;1252348 wrote: Sorry, couldn't get the link to come up...but is all over the news here. The parents of the 6yro built a homemade helium balloon, the kid got into it & is floating around over the skies of Colorado...Never ceases to amaze me how stupid some parents are.
I got a link from Colarado news.
9NEWS.com | Colorado's Online News Leader | Officials trying to rescue child from experimental aircraft
I got a link from Colarado news.
9NEWS.com | Colorado's Online News Leader | Officials trying to rescue child from experimental aircraft
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. R.L. Binyon
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Oscar Namechange
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6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
qsducks;1252348 wrote: Sorry, couldn't get the link to come up...but is all over the news here. The parents of the 6yro built a homemade helium balloon, the kid got into it & is floating around over the skies of Colorado...Never ceases to amaze me how stupid some parents are.
This a live video just posted.
Boy floating over Colo. in balloon, deputies say - Life- msnbc.com
This a live video just posted.
Boy floating over Colo. in balloon, deputies say - Life- msnbc.com
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. R.L. Binyon
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Oscar Namechange
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6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
Ian;1252367 wrote: No child in the balloon ? No... The balloon is down in a field. No kid in the balloon at all. They think he dropped out some-where. How awful?
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. R.L. Binyon
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
just heard he was found safe at home
"To be foolish and to recognize that one is foolish, is better than to be foolish and imagine that one is wise."
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Kathy Ellen
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6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
Yes, the boy is safe...Here's an update...
CTV News | Boy feared missing in balloon found safe at home
CTV News | Boy feared missing in balloon found safe at home
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
oscar;1252371 wrote: No... The balloon is down in a field. No kid in the balloon at all. They think he dropped out some-where. How awful?
Was Balloon Boy Chase a Hoax?
by Ground Report October 15, 2009
Hours after the "balloon boy" drama of a 6-year-old allegedly trapped aloft a homemade hot-air balloon gripped the nation, some are wondering whether the child's fame-seeking parents made the whole thing up.
Why? First, the family is no stranger to reality TV, thanks to two appearances on the television program "Wife Swap." Second, the father, Richard Heene, is the host of a show called The Psyience Detectives, which invesigates paranormal activity.
Last year the father posted the video below on CNN's iReport, allegedly "clearly showing civilization on Mars." He ends with the phrase, "This is not a hoax.
After the balloon landed without anyone inside, CNN reported that Larimer County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Eloise Campanella said, "At this point, we are thinking that he did not fall out of the balloon and is somewhere on the ground. The basket itself was not breached. It does not look like he fell out of it, but again, this is all conjecture."
"I'm very confident we will find him. I think it's a matter of him being a little scared," she said. "Maybe he's not ready to be found."
CBS is also questioning whether the event was a publicity hoax, citing aviation experts who said the balloon couldn't have been carrying the boy, and report by Falcon's brother that he saw him fall out.
UPDATE--New York Times report Brian Stelter tweeted that the boy, Falcon Heene, has been "found alive" according to KUSA-TV. He also noted that the boy's father previously called KUSA-TV "in a panic" to ask if their helicopter could help track down the child.
This might also suggest a publicity stunt, as the father contacted media outlets rather than working exclusively with emergency personnel and authorities.
:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl
stupid father.....hope he gets sued for this one.:-5:-5
just the time spent.....the fears.......omg.
Was Balloon Boy Chase a Hoax?
by Ground Report October 15, 2009
Hours after the "balloon boy" drama of a 6-year-old allegedly trapped aloft a homemade hot-air balloon gripped the nation, some are wondering whether the child's fame-seeking parents made the whole thing up.
Why? First, the family is no stranger to reality TV, thanks to two appearances on the television program "Wife Swap." Second, the father, Richard Heene, is the host of a show called The Psyience Detectives, which invesigates paranormal activity.
Last year the father posted the video below on CNN's iReport, allegedly "clearly showing civilization on Mars." He ends with the phrase, "This is not a hoax.
After the balloon landed without anyone inside, CNN reported that Larimer County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Eloise Campanella said, "At this point, we are thinking that he did not fall out of the balloon and is somewhere on the ground. The basket itself was not breached. It does not look like he fell out of it, but again, this is all conjecture."
"I'm very confident we will find him. I think it's a matter of him being a little scared," she said. "Maybe he's not ready to be found."
CBS is also questioning whether the event was a publicity hoax, citing aviation experts who said the balloon couldn't have been carrying the boy, and report by Falcon's brother that he saw him fall out.
UPDATE--New York Times report Brian Stelter tweeted that the boy, Falcon Heene, has been "found alive" according to KUSA-TV. He also noted that the boy's father previously called KUSA-TV "in a panic" to ask if their helicopter could help track down the child.
This might also suggest a publicity stunt, as the father contacted media outlets rather than working exclusively with emergency personnel and authorities.
:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl
stupid father.....hope he gets sued for this one.:-5:-5
just the time spent.....the fears.......omg.
Life is just to short for drama.
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Oscar Namechange
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6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
Odie;1252506 wrote: Was Balloon Boy Chase a Hoax?
by Ground Report October 15, 2009
UPDATE
This might also suggest a publicity stunt, as the father contacted media outlets rather than working exclusively with emergency personnel and authorities.
:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl
stupid father.....hope he gets sued for this one.:-5:-5
just the time spent.....the fears.......omg.
They should be charged for all the emergency services that were used looking for him. That's sick. :-5
by Ground Report October 15, 2009
UPDATE
This might also suggest a publicity stunt, as the father contacted media outlets rather than working exclusively with emergency personnel and authorities.
:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl
stupid father.....hope he gets sued for this one.:-5:-5
just the time spent.....the fears.......omg.
They should be charged for all the emergency services that were used looking for him. That's sick. :-5
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. R.L. Binyon
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
oscar;1252511 wrote: They should be charged for all the emergency services that were used looking for him. That's sick. :-5
I wondered way earlier this afternoon when they found the balloon empty.....
oh he'll be charged for everything.:rolleyes:
I feel sorry for his son....as it's now world wise news.....imagine how he will feel about this dad when he gets older........
I wondered way earlier this afternoon when they found the balloon empty.....
oh he'll be charged for everything.:rolleyes:
I feel sorry for his son....as it's now world wise news.....imagine how he will feel about this dad when he gets older........
Life is just to short for drama.
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
Were all little balloon boys arent we?
I AM AWESOME MAN
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
He was hiding in a box in the attic probably afraid because he let the balloon go.
[QUOTE](CNN) -- After scouring northern Colorado by foot and air, frantically chasing a Mylar balloon for miles and repeatedly interviewing his big brother, authorities ended the search for 6-year-old Falcon Heene where it began -- at his house.
6-year-old Falcon Heene says he was hiding in a box in the attic while authorities were searching for him.
He was in a box. In the attic. The whole time.
"I played with my toys and took a nap," Falcon told a group of reporters outside his home Thursday afternoon.
"He says he was hiding in the attic," said Falcon's father, meteorologist Richard Heene, clutching his son. "He says it's because I yelled at him."
"I'm sorry I yelled at him," added Heene, tearfully hugging the boy.
The situation grabbed the nation's attention early Thursday afternoon, after authorities reported that the experimental helium balloon was set adrift with the 6-year-old apparently riding in it.
His brother had said he watched Falcon get into the balloon before he untied the tethers, setting it free. Heene later said Falcon was videotaped getting into the vessel by his brother, but "obviously he got out." Watch the Heenes talk about the ordeal on CNN's Larry King Live »
Heene said the family was in the early stages of working on the balloon -- a "3D low-altitude vehicle" -- when the contraption and the boy went missing.
Once it was untethered, the saucer-like craft flew eastward from the Heenes' neighborhood, though officials couldn't immediately confirm how fast it was going. Watch the balloon float thousands of feet over Colorado »
Authorities said the silver balloon, 20-feet long and 5-feet high, at times reached 7,000 feet above the ground while adrift. It was found more than 90 minutes later in a field near Colorado Springs.
The story took a turn when ABC said that Falcon's parents, science enthusiasts Richard and Mayumi Heene, were featured on the 100th episode of ABC's prime-time program "Wife Swap" in March 2009.
According to the network's Web site, the Heene family "devote(s) their time to scientific experiments that include looking for extraterrestrials and building a research-gathering flying saucer to send into the eye of the storm."
Richard Heene is a meteorologist and former television weatherman who has submitted to CNN iReports accounts of his sons helping him chase Hurricane Gustav, among other contributions. iReport.com: Heene family chases a storm
Rescuers from several counties followed the saucer-like vessel until it made a soft landing some 90 miles away.
Don't Miss
Family known for extreme science experiments
World watches odyssey of 'Balloon Boy' in real time
Balloon family was featured on 'Wife Swap'
iReport.com: Send your videos, images of balloon
Officials rushed to the scene of the landing, smacking the metallic balloon until it deflated. They looked inside -- no Falcon.
At that point, there were two possibilities: Either Falcon never got in the balloon, or he fell out.
Authorities began to fear the worst after reports surfaced that a box possibly carrying Falcon may have fallen off the balloon.
A Weld County Sheriff's deputy had said he saw an object fall off the balloon somewhere over Platteville, Colorado, which is in the search area. There was no box attached when the balloon landed at 1:35 p.m. See map of balloon's trip »
The widespread worries prompted the Colorado Air National Guard to deploy a UH 60 Black Hawk helicopter, with plans to launch a second one equipped with night vision if necessary.
The search, which initially focused on Weld County, covered "the entire flight plan, from the Fort Collins area down to the Denver International Airport area," Col. Mark Riccardi said.
But a little while later, Falcon turned up at home.
Larimer County Sheriff James Alderden said it's not uncommon for children to seek cover when they realize they're the subject of a massive search.
"They hide because they think they are in trouble," he said.
"What was confusing was the eyewitness who said [Falcon] climbed into the apparatus, which was not the case," Alderden said, referring to the boy's brother.
The sheriff said the brother was interviewed several times by investigators and that he was consistent with his story.
Marc Friedland, the family's next-door neighbor, said he saw Richard Heene working on the giant Mylar balloon in the backyard. Learn more about airborne balloons »
"Basically, the whole family was out there and they were working with it," he said. "When I came back is when I found out that the event happened."
He said the aircraft was intended to hover around 20 feet in the air and was not intended to carry people.
"Obviously, something went wrong with that."
Friedland described his neighbors as "a great family."
"They're unusual, yes, of course. He's sort of a scientist-slash-inventor. They're storm chasers -- they go after tornadoes, hurricanes, things like that," he said.
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE](CNN) -- After scouring northern Colorado by foot and air, frantically chasing a Mylar balloon for miles and repeatedly interviewing his big brother, authorities ended the search for 6-year-old Falcon Heene where it began -- at his house.
6-year-old Falcon Heene says he was hiding in a box in the attic while authorities were searching for him.
He was in a box. In the attic. The whole time.
"I played with my toys and took a nap," Falcon told a group of reporters outside his home Thursday afternoon.
"He says he was hiding in the attic," said Falcon's father, meteorologist Richard Heene, clutching his son. "He says it's because I yelled at him."
"I'm sorry I yelled at him," added Heene, tearfully hugging the boy.
The situation grabbed the nation's attention early Thursday afternoon, after authorities reported that the experimental helium balloon was set adrift with the 6-year-old apparently riding in it.
His brother had said he watched Falcon get into the balloon before he untied the tethers, setting it free. Heene later said Falcon was videotaped getting into the vessel by his brother, but "obviously he got out." Watch the Heenes talk about the ordeal on CNN's Larry King Live »
Heene said the family was in the early stages of working on the balloon -- a "3D low-altitude vehicle" -- when the contraption and the boy went missing.
Once it was untethered, the saucer-like craft flew eastward from the Heenes' neighborhood, though officials couldn't immediately confirm how fast it was going. Watch the balloon float thousands of feet over Colorado »
Authorities said the silver balloon, 20-feet long and 5-feet high, at times reached 7,000 feet above the ground while adrift. It was found more than 90 minutes later in a field near Colorado Springs.
The story took a turn when ABC said that Falcon's parents, science enthusiasts Richard and Mayumi Heene, were featured on the 100th episode of ABC's prime-time program "Wife Swap" in March 2009.
According to the network's Web site, the Heene family "devote(s) their time to scientific experiments that include looking for extraterrestrials and building a research-gathering flying saucer to send into the eye of the storm."
Richard Heene is a meteorologist and former television weatherman who has submitted to CNN iReports accounts of his sons helping him chase Hurricane Gustav, among other contributions. iReport.com: Heene family chases a storm
Rescuers from several counties followed the saucer-like vessel until it made a soft landing some 90 miles away.
Don't Miss
Family known for extreme science experiments
World watches odyssey of 'Balloon Boy' in real time
Balloon family was featured on 'Wife Swap'
iReport.com: Send your videos, images of balloon
Officials rushed to the scene of the landing, smacking the metallic balloon until it deflated. They looked inside -- no Falcon.
At that point, there were two possibilities: Either Falcon never got in the balloon, or he fell out.
Authorities began to fear the worst after reports surfaced that a box possibly carrying Falcon may have fallen off the balloon.
A Weld County Sheriff's deputy had said he saw an object fall off the balloon somewhere over Platteville, Colorado, which is in the search area. There was no box attached when the balloon landed at 1:35 p.m. See map of balloon's trip »
The widespread worries prompted the Colorado Air National Guard to deploy a UH 60 Black Hawk helicopter, with plans to launch a second one equipped with night vision if necessary.
The search, which initially focused on Weld County, covered "the entire flight plan, from the Fort Collins area down to the Denver International Airport area," Col. Mark Riccardi said.
But a little while later, Falcon turned up at home.
Larimer County Sheriff James Alderden said it's not uncommon for children to seek cover when they realize they're the subject of a massive search.
"They hide because they think they are in trouble," he said.
"What was confusing was the eyewitness who said [Falcon] climbed into the apparatus, which was not the case," Alderden said, referring to the boy's brother.
The sheriff said the brother was interviewed several times by investigators and that he was consistent with his story.
Marc Friedland, the family's next-door neighbor, said he saw Richard Heene working on the giant Mylar balloon in the backyard. Learn more about airborne balloons »
"Basically, the whole family was out there and they were working with it," he said. "When I came back is when I found out that the event happened."
He said the aircraft was intended to hover around 20 feet in the air and was not intended to carry people.
"Obviously, something went wrong with that."
Friedland described his neighbors as "a great family."
"They're unusual, yes, of course. He's sort of a scientist-slash-inventor. They're storm chasers -- they go after tornadoes, hurricanes, things like that," he said.
[/QUOTE]
ALOHA!!
MOTTO TO LIVE BY:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, champagne in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming.
WOO HOO!!, what a ride!!!"
MOTTO TO LIVE BY:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, champagne in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming.
WOO HOO!!, what a ride!!!"
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
I started the basement on fire then hid under my bed until my dad got home.
That doesnt make me a bad person though.
That doesnt make me a bad person though.
I AM AWESOME MAN
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
CARLA;1252594 wrote: He was hiding in a box in the attic probably afraid because he let the balloon go.
OMG!
that poor kid.....his father doesn't deserve to have him.:-5:-5
Children's Aid should be checking this out.:-5:-5
OMG!
that poor kid.....his father doesn't deserve to have him.:-5:-5
Children's Aid should be checking this out.:-5:-5
Life is just to short for drama.
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
I'm just glad it had a happy ending. When I thought the little boy might have been up in that balloon I just imagined how scared he'd be.
Did anyone ever see the 1956 film "The Red Balloon" - it's been on cable television here this week and I rewatched it only the other day. The six year old ends up floating over Paris - carried away by his balloon friends. A beautiful little film - but sort of horrible juxtaposed in my mind this morning with the news item.
The Red Balloon
Did anyone ever see the 1956 film "The Red Balloon" - it's been on cable television here this week and I rewatched it only the other day. The six year old ends up floating over Paris - carried away by his balloon friends. A beautiful little film - but sort of horrible juxtaposed in my mind this morning with the news item.
The Red Balloon
"Life is too short to ski with ugly men"
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farmer giles
- Posts: 2213
- Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:08 am
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
any one remember that guy that tied hundreds of balloons to a chair and held a gun in his hand so he could shoot the balloon and come back down to earth when he wanted to ,all was well untill he dropped the gun and kept soaring ,planes were going by him at thousands of feet ,t wonder what happened to him 
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
I love kids, they never lie.
"we did this for the show"
YouTube - "Balloon Boy" Falcon Henne Admits: "We Did This For The Show"
"we did this for the show"
YouTube - "Balloon Boy" Falcon Henne Admits: "We Did This For The Show"
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
mikeinie;1252655 wrote: I love kids, they never lie.
"we did this for the show"
YouTube - "Balloon Boy" Falcon Henne Admits: "We Did This For The Show"
What a horrible family, wasting all the taxpayers money to fly around and follow this balloon, not to mention all the police presence on the ground.
"we did this for the show"
YouTube - "Balloon Boy" Falcon Henne Admits: "We Did This For The Show"
What a horrible family, wasting all the taxpayers money to fly around and follow this balloon, not to mention all the police presence on the ground.
Life is just to short for drama.
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
The mother and father we also once on the show Wife Swap, I think that are TV idiots who want attention.
Now their kids can grow up thinking that their parents are idiots as well.
Did they ever stop to think that the unmanned balloon could have come down somewhere and caused real damage or seriously injured someone?
What feck’n morons
Now their kids can grow up thinking that their parents are idiots as well.
Did they ever stop to think that the unmanned balloon could have come down somewhere and caused real damage or seriously injured someone?
What feck’n morons
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
:yh_rotfl someone has too much time on their hands.
~Quoth the Raven, Nevermore!~
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
mikeinie;1252699 wrote: The mother and father we also once on the show Wife Swap, I think that are TV idiots who want attention.
Now their kids can grow up thinking that their parents are idiots as well.
Did they ever stop to think that the unmanned balloon could have come down somewhere and caused real damage or seriously injured someone?
What feck’n morons
Can you imagine if that balloon had landed on a busy highway? Hubs & I were just saying this morning that we think it was a stunt. Feckin morons is about right.
Oh & Pam, yes we've seen the movie the Red Balloon...it is cute.
Now their kids can grow up thinking that their parents are idiots as well.
Did they ever stop to think that the unmanned balloon could have come down somewhere and caused real damage or seriously injured someone?
What feck’n morons
Can you imagine if that balloon had landed on a busy highway? Hubs & I were just saying this morning that we think it was a stunt. Feckin morons is about right.
Oh & Pam, yes we've seen the movie the Red Balloon...it is cute.
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along-for-the-ride
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6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
The Saga Continues:
Balloon boy family feels 'under siege,' lawyer says.
Authorities say story of boy in runaway balloon a hoax
Family wanted publicity for reality TV jobs, sheriff says
Lawyer says Heene family deserves presumption of innocence
Charges likely to be filed against family, sheriff says
updated 10:53 a.m. EDT, Mon October 19, 2009Next Article in U.S. »
FORT COLLINS, Colorado (CNN) -- The Colorado couple accused of carrying out a bizarre hoax involving their son and a huge balloon is "not running from the law" and deserves the presumption of innocence, their attorney said Monday.
Richard Heene has told reporters that a runaway balloon incident involving his son was "absolutely no hoax."
"The sheriff having a press conference saying that they're guilty does not make them so," David Lane told CNN's "American Morning."
Authorities say the event -- in which the tearful couple claimed their 6-year-old may have been trapped in the flying-saucer-like contraption floating through the air -- was staged. Richard and Mayumi Heene had met in a Hollywood acting school and pursued fame for their family in the world of reality TV, Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said.
Lane, asked Monday by CNN about his client's state of mind, said it was "what you would expect someone's state of mind to be after law enforcement searched your house, seized your property, held a press conference announcing you're about to be charged with felony criminal charges. Your state of mind would be rather upset and you would feel somewhat under siege, which is exactly how the family feels at this point."
Following the incident Thursday, as millions worldwide watched live TV coverage of the contraption floating above northern Colorado, authorities did not pick up on any deceptive behavior, Alderden said.
But that night, during an interview with CNN's "Larry King Live," the boy, Falcon, gave authorities an "Aha! moment," Alderden said.
"You guys said we did this for the show," Falcon said in the interview, when his father asked him why he had not come out from hiding when his parents were looking for him. Watch how boy explain balloon incident »
Richard and Mayumi Heene said their son was simply confused.
But authorities enacted a "game plan" of getting the truth, Alderden said.
The plan included misleading the media on Friday when Alderden said authorities still believed the incident was not a hoax. They wanted to keep the couple's trust, Alderden said.
Authorities searched the couple's home early Sunday for computer records, phone records, video recordings, and other potential evidence, Alderden said.
"The sheriff put both of them on a box, and they have not shared with us whether or not they passed or failed," Lane told "American Morning" on Monday.
Polygraphs are not admissible in court, Lane added.
Alderden said that under Colorado law, authorities cannot announce whether polygraph tests were taken -- only that authorities pursued them.
The sheriff, at Sunday's news conference, said the investigation was still under way and that charges would likely soon follow, including for several felonies: conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and attempting to influence a public servant. The family will likely also be charged with filing a false police report, which is a misdemeanor, Alderden said.
He added that authorities plan to seek restitution for the expenses incurred in the wild goose chase for Falcon.
Since authorities aren't required to share evidence until charges are actually filed, Lane said he could not lay out the Heenes' defense. "Until that point... I'm shooting in the dark," he said, adding, "If they have probable cause to make an arrest, then make an arrest and give me the evidence." iReport.com: "Outraged" over balloon hoax
Alderden, speaking at a news conference Sunday, said authorities are concerned about the safety of all three Heene children, ages 6, 8, and 10. Authorities spoke with Mayumi Heene about domestic violence and the children's safety, Alderden said. "But we didn't have enough that would allow us or Child Protection Services to physically take the kids from that environment."
There was a 911 call from the home earlier this year that led authorities to a "suspicious circumstance" that Alderden said may have involved "domestic violence, perhaps against the wife."
Lane told CNN affiliate KMGH on Sunday that he has "no reason to believe they're anything but loving parents." iReport.com: "Balloon boy saga is symptom, not disease"
Speaking to CNN Monday, Lane said the Heene children had been in his office Sunday, and that by his own observations as a father of three, "They seem to be perfectly, normal, happy, well-adjusted kids that are being insulated from this process as much as possible."
During a round of live TV interviews Friday morning, Falcon had been sick, which many speculate was because he was so upset over the incident.
One of the questions that remains unanswered is where Falcon was as the balloon flew overhead. On Friday, Alderden said it had been determined that the boy was hiding in an attic in the garage. Now, authorities are unsure. Alderden said the boy may not have even been in the home. Watch how boys was supposed to be in balloon »
The Heenes have previously appeared on the ABC program "Wife Swap." Richard Heene also chases storms, brings his family along and takes videos.
TLC, which produces the show "Jon and Kate Plus 8" -- told CNN the Heenes "approached us months ago" about a possible show, "and we passed."
Heene has been described as a meteorologist, but his education ended at the high school level, Alderden said.
The sheriff said investigators also want to interview 25-year-old researcher Robert Thomas who worked with Heene for about two months last spring. Thomas was paid by the gossip site Gawker.com to write about his experience with Heene for a story published on Saturday. Watch former assistant discuss Heene family »
In an interview arranged with the help of Gawker, Thomas told CNN that at one point they were talking about the Roswell UFO incident of the late 1940s, when Heene said it would be easy to cook up "a media stunt that would be equally profound as Roswell, and we could do so with nothing more than a weather balloon and some controversy."
Balloon boy family feels 'under siege,' lawyer says.
Authorities say story of boy in runaway balloon a hoax
Family wanted publicity for reality TV jobs, sheriff says
Lawyer says Heene family deserves presumption of innocence
Charges likely to be filed against family, sheriff says
updated 10:53 a.m. EDT, Mon October 19, 2009Next Article in U.S. »
FORT COLLINS, Colorado (CNN) -- The Colorado couple accused of carrying out a bizarre hoax involving their son and a huge balloon is "not running from the law" and deserves the presumption of innocence, their attorney said Monday.
Richard Heene has told reporters that a runaway balloon incident involving his son was "absolutely no hoax."
"The sheriff having a press conference saying that they're guilty does not make them so," David Lane told CNN's "American Morning."
Authorities say the event -- in which the tearful couple claimed their 6-year-old may have been trapped in the flying-saucer-like contraption floating through the air -- was staged. Richard and Mayumi Heene had met in a Hollywood acting school and pursued fame for their family in the world of reality TV, Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said.
Lane, asked Monday by CNN about his client's state of mind, said it was "what you would expect someone's state of mind to be after law enforcement searched your house, seized your property, held a press conference announcing you're about to be charged with felony criminal charges. Your state of mind would be rather upset and you would feel somewhat under siege, which is exactly how the family feels at this point."
Following the incident Thursday, as millions worldwide watched live TV coverage of the contraption floating above northern Colorado, authorities did not pick up on any deceptive behavior, Alderden said.
But that night, during an interview with CNN's "Larry King Live," the boy, Falcon, gave authorities an "Aha! moment," Alderden said.
"You guys said we did this for the show," Falcon said in the interview, when his father asked him why he had not come out from hiding when his parents were looking for him. Watch how boy explain balloon incident »
Richard and Mayumi Heene said their son was simply confused.
But authorities enacted a "game plan" of getting the truth, Alderden said.
The plan included misleading the media on Friday when Alderden said authorities still believed the incident was not a hoax. They wanted to keep the couple's trust, Alderden said.
Authorities searched the couple's home early Sunday for computer records, phone records, video recordings, and other potential evidence, Alderden said.
"The sheriff put both of them on a box, and they have not shared with us whether or not they passed or failed," Lane told "American Morning" on Monday.
Polygraphs are not admissible in court, Lane added.
Alderden said that under Colorado law, authorities cannot announce whether polygraph tests were taken -- only that authorities pursued them.
The sheriff, at Sunday's news conference, said the investigation was still under way and that charges would likely soon follow, including for several felonies: conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and attempting to influence a public servant. The family will likely also be charged with filing a false police report, which is a misdemeanor, Alderden said.
He added that authorities plan to seek restitution for the expenses incurred in the wild goose chase for Falcon.
Since authorities aren't required to share evidence until charges are actually filed, Lane said he could not lay out the Heenes' defense. "Until that point... I'm shooting in the dark," he said, adding, "If they have probable cause to make an arrest, then make an arrest and give me the evidence." iReport.com: "Outraged" over balloon hoax
Alderden, speaking at a news conference Sunday, said authorities are concerned about the safety of all three Heene children, ages 6, 8, and 10. Authorities spoke with Mayumi Heene about domestic violence and the children's safety, Alderden said. "But we didn't have enough that would allow us or Child Protection Services to physically take the kids from that environment."
There was a 911 call from the home earlier this year that led authorities to a "suspicious circumstance" that Alderden said may have involved "domestic violence, perhaps against the wife."
Lane told CNN affiliate KMGH on Sunday that he has "no reason to believe they're anything but loving parents." iReport.com: "Balloon boy saga is symptom, not disease"
Speaking to CNN Monday, Lane said the Heene children had been in his office Sunday, and that by his own observations as a father of three, "They seem to be perfectly, normal, happy, well-adjusted kids that are being insulated from this process as much as possible."
During a round of live TV interviews Friday morning, Falcon had been sick, which many speculate was because he was so upset over the incident.
One of the questions that remains unanswered is where Falcon was as the balloon flew overhead. On Friday, Alderden said it had been determined that the boy was hiding in an attic in the garage. Now, authorities are unsure. Alderden said the boy may not have even been in the home. Watch how boys was supposed to be in balloon »
The Heenes have previously appeared on the ABC program "Wife Swap." Richard Heene also chases storms, brings his family along and takes videos.
TLC, which produces the show "Jon and Kate Plus 8" -- told CNN the Heenes "approached us months ago" about a possible show, "and we passed."
Heene has been described as a meteorologist, but his education ended at the high school level, Alderden said.
The sheriff said investigators also want to interview 25-year-old researcher Robert Thomas who worked with Heene for about two months last spring. Thomas was paid by the gossip site Gawker.com to write about his experience with Heene for a story published on Saturday. Watch former assistant discuss Heene family »
In an interview arranged with the help of Gawker, Thomas told CNN that at one point they were talking about the Roswell UFO incident of the late 1940s, when Heene said it would be easy to cook up "a media stunt that would be equally profound as Roswell, and we could do so with nothing more than a weather balloon and some controversy."
Life is a Highway. Let's share the Commute.
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
I wonder if Spock was a balloon boy.
I AM AWESOME MAN
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
The dad seem a bit off to me and ticking time bomb.
ALOHA!!
MOTTO TO LIVE BY:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, champagne in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming.
WOO HOO!!, what a ride!!!"
MOTTO TO LIVE BY:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, champagne in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming.
WOO HOO!!, what a ride!!!"
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
They replayed this video last night of the kid being asked questions. Said he was in the attic. They asked if he couldn't hear folks calling for him. He said yes. Dad then says 'and why was it you didn't answer' kid gnaws the lip, squirms and says 'you guys said we did this for the show ':yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl
I expressly forbid the use of any of my posts anywhere outside of FG (with the exception of the incredibly witty 'get a room already' )posted recently.
Folks who'd like to copy my intellectual work should expect to pay me for it.:-6
Folks who'd like to copy my intellectual work should expect to pay me for it.:-6
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
last night they said charges could be in the $200,000 range.
Life is just to short for drama.
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TenneseeGirl
- Posts: 289
- Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 6:06 pm
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
Wow.... Really? Other peoples children.... I swear.
~~~~~
Just some food for thought. Swallow it or not that's up to you.
Just some food for thought. Swallow it or not that's up to you.
6 yr boy floating over Denver in homemade balloon
TenneseeGirl;1254115 wrote: Wow.... Really? Other peoples children.... I swear.
yup.....the whole family's paying big-time now.
I don't blame the authorities one bit, the money spent, the amount of officials used, the whole world watching by for hours in hopes .........
that one Marshall was pissed........
The family said it would make a good reality show.
well, this one is real.
yup.....the whole family's paying big-time now.
I don't blame the authorities one bit, the money spent, the amount of officials used, the whole world watching by for hours in hopes .........
that one Marshall was pissed........
The family said it would make a good reality show.
well, this one is real.
Life is just to short for drama.