Balloon Boy Story Deflates In Face Of Possible Criminal Charges
For the hour or so that the nation stopped on Thursday, dying of anticipation and worry for the boy that supposedly had floated off from his family's backyard in a homemade balloon, we were entertained, titillated, alarmed...but most of all we were duped. It was declared over the weekend, after authorities spoke with the Heene family and after the boy, Falcon, made the statement that "we did this for the show" during an interview with Wolf Blitzer, that the whole incident had been a hoax to gain publicity.
Publicity for what? Well, a reality show of course, although one that doesn't exist and probably never will if felony charges are filed as promised. The Heenes, a storm-chasing family that regularly conducts science fiction-y experiments (hence the balloon) and has been featured on several dramatic episodes of Wife Swap had been shopping around a reality show following their family life; a "Jon and Kate Plus 8," but more like "Richard and Mayumi Plus 3 Boys Living Dangerously." So dangerously, that everyone believed that Falcon was indeed inside the balloon, only to later discover that he was hiding in a box in the garage's attic at home.
The stunt, aside from costing law enforcement bundles of money while they chased the boy, also interfered with air traffic around Denver International Airport on Thursday, incurring the wrath of delayed travelers as well as the general wrath of the duped public.
It was originally thought that the Heenes would face Class 3 misdemeanor charges and a fine for this escapade, but a pitchfork-bearing public who worried for the boy and felt for the family on Thursday demands more. Thus, criminal charges are possibly pending and the Heenes remain locked in their home, cutting off further interviews and therefore saving their poor sons the further embarrassment of puking on live TV. Now back to our regularly scheduled travel programming.
Related Stories:
· Balloon Mishap Officially Declared A Hoax: "These People Are Actors" [NY Mag]
· The Balloon Boy Family Hits Turbulence [WSJ]
· Homemade Balloon Lands Near Denver Airport, Wife Swap Son Missing [Jaunted]
· Denver Travel [Jaunted]
[Photo: 9News]
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