| sday, October 15, a 6-year-old boy named Falcon | | | | opened it they were surprised to find — |
| Heene caught the attention of the entire nation. The | | | | nothing. No Falcon, and no sign that someone had |
| boy was missing and thought to be trapped inside a | | | | been inside at all. |
| homemade weather balloon that broke free and took | | | | Later that evening the worried Heene family waited |
| flight in Fort Collins, Colorado. | | | | for news in their living room when young Falcon |
| The balloon was a Mylar covered contraption that | | | | walked right in to join them. He had been hiding in the |
| contained a small basket on the bottom. No tests | | | | attic, afraid that he was in trouble with his father. |
| had been done to determine exactly how much | | | | Falcon was safe, but doubts arose about whether or |
| weight the basket can handle, but it was thought to | | | | not the entire incident was a publicity stunt. |
| be able to hold up to 100 pounds — more than | | | | The Heenes appeared on Larry King Live that |
| enough to carry young Falcon Heene. | | | | night to talk about their ordeal. Falcon was asked |
| When the balloon blew into the air from the | | | | why he remained hidden in the attic for so long, |
| Heene’s backyard, no one was sure of | | | | especially when the entire family was searching for |
| Falcon’s whereabouts. His brother Bradford | | | | him and calling his name. His reply was You guys |
| said he had seen Falcon climb inside the basket, but | | | | said we did this for the show. That comment |
| hadn’t seen him come back out. The terrified | | | | energized the idea that the balloon escapade was |
| family scoured the house in a frantic search, but | | | | merely a hoax. |
| Falcon was nowhere to be found. They came to the | | | | On Friday, October 16, Sheriff Jim Alderden stated |
| conclusion that the boy was stuck inside a balloon | | | | that the police believed the incident was real, and the |
| that was being swept across the sky high above | | | | Heene family genuinely did think Falcon was inside the |
| Colorado. | | | | balloon. He noted that seasoned investigators had |
| Thanks largely to a live video of the balloon’s | | | | interviewed Falcon’s parents, and were |
| flight, the world began to watch and fear for the | | | | "Completely convinced that this was a real deal, and |
| safety of Falcon Heene. All indicators seemed to | | | | not a hoax, based on all of their communication, their |
| confirm that the boy was inside the balloon; unable to | | | | body language, their emotions that were displayed |
| see out and most certainly terrified. Talk turned to | | | | throughout the event of yesterday." |
| how to rescue the boy and bring the balloon safely | | | | These law enforcement officials have changed their |
| to the ground. | | | | tune. By Sunday, October 18, Sheriff Alderden |
| Flights from Denver airport were put on hold, | | | | claimed that the entire incident was a publicity stunt |
| emergency vehicles stood by and the world watched | | | | intended to help the Heene family land their own |
| breathlessly as the balloon was swept upwards in | | | | reality television show. The Sheriff went on to say |
| fast gusts of wind, at times reaching 7,000 feet. | | | | that he intentionally misled the media when claiming |
| Then, the worst seemed to happen. A deputy | | | | that Richard Heene was innocent because he wanted |
| reported seeing something drop out of the balloon, | | | | the man to feel the police were on his side. This was |
| and a photo seemed to confirm that an object did | | | | done to maintain a sense of trust, and make it easier |
| fall to the ground. An intense search of the area | | | | for authorities to discover the truth. |
| began, but nothing turned up. Falcon’s fate | | | | Ongoing investigations have led the police to believe |
| seemed uncertain. | | | | that the balloon could not have held Falcon’s |
| Finally, after 2 hours, the balloon landed. It dropped | | | | weight. Officials are now saying they aren’t |
| softly to the ground about 50 miles away from the | | | | even sure if Falcon was ever in the balloon, or if he |
| Heene household, and rescue workers raced to the | | | | was actually hiding in the attic. They feel the entire |
| scene before it could take flight a second time. As | | | | incident was a ruse to gain national media attention. |
| the rescuers released the helium from the balloon and | | | | |