{{short description|2009 publicly stunt in Colorado, U.S.}} {{pp|small=yes}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2014}}{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}

{{Redirect|Balloon boy|the ''Five Nights at Freddy's'' character|Five Nights at Freddy's#Animatronics{{!}}''Five Nights at Freddy's''}} {{Infobox event | image = In Search of a Flightless Falcon, Colorado Aviators Help in Search for Lost Boy DVIDS213676.jpg | caption = A Colorado Army National Guard aviator searching for 6-year-old Falcon Heene | title = Balloon boy hoax | time = {{ubl|11:29{{nbs}}a.m. – 1:35{{nbs}}p.m. MDT|(17:29 – 19:35 UTC)}} | date = {{start date|2009|10|15}} | location = Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S. | coordinates = {{Coord|40|30|38|N|105|4|27|W|region:US_type:event|display=inline,title}} | notes = }}

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 {{convert|7000|ft}} during its 90-minute flight.<ref name="cnn1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 15, 2009 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6340015/Boy-trapped-in-UFO-like-balloon-floating-over-Colorado.html |title=Boy trapped in "UFO-like balloon" floating over Colorado |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=June 14, 2019 |author=<!--Not stated--> |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091018060600/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6340015/Boy-trapped-in-UFO-like-balloon-floating-over-Colorado.html| archive-date= October 18, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="nzherald1">{{Cite news |title=Missing "balloon boy" found hiding in attic |work=The New Zealand Herald |location=Auckland, New Zealand |date=October 15, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ie0x4tv2tFVwxzfVpFiJG47OvbgwD9BBQM3O3 |title=Boy said to have floated off in balloon found safe |agency=Associated Press |date=October 15, 2009 |access-date=November 12, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091019151745/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ie0x4tv2tFVwxzfVpFiJG47OvbgwD9BBQM3O3| archive-date= October 19, 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> The event attracted worldwide attention,<ref name="cnn1">{{Cite news|title=6-year-old Colorado boy found alive in attic after balloon lands |work=CNN |date=October 15, 2009 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/15/colorado.boy.balloon/index.html |access-date=December 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018190158/http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/15/colorado.boy.balloon/index.html |archive-date=October 18, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Craig |url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/15/colorado.boy.world.watching/index.html |title=World watches odyssey of "Balloon Boy" in real time |date=October 16, 2009 |work=CNN |access-date=December 17, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091019081521/http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/15/colorado.boy.world.watching/index.html| archive-date= October 19, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> and Falcon was nicknamed "Balloon Boy" in the media.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cheney |first=Peter |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/balloon-boy-rescuers-had-few-options/article1203609/ |title=Balloon boy rescuers had few options |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto, Canada |date=October 15, 2009 |access-date=December 17, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091019141208/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/balloon-boy-rescuers-had-few-options/article1325128/| archive-date= October 19, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

National Guard helicopters and local police pursued the balloon. After flying for more than an hour and approximately {{convert|50|mi}},<ref name="denverpost1">{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Kirk |title=Balloon boy saga "absolutely...a hoax," Larimer sheriff says |work=The Denver Post |date=October 19, 2009 |location=Denver, Colorado |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2009/10/18/balloon-boy-saga-absolutely-a-hoax-larimer-sheriff-says/ |access-date=December 17, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091021061919/http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13591563| archive-date= October 21, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> the balloon landed about {{convert|12|mi}} 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.<ref name="nzherald1"/> Later that day, the boy was found hiding in the attic of his home, where he had apparently been the entire time.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna33330516 |title=Feared lost in balloon, boy found at home |access-date=December 17, 2021 |date=October 15, 2009 |work=NBC News |location=Fort Collins, Colorado}}</ref>

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.<ref name="show">{{Cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/balloon-boy-hoax-fears-after-falcon-says-we-did-this-for-the-show-20091016-h0j8.html |title="Balloon boy" hoax fears after Falcon says "we did this for the show" |last=Ramachandran |first=Arjun |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=October 16, 2009 |access-date=October 20, 2009 |location=Sydney, Australia| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091019092015/http://www.smh.com.au/world/balloon-boy-hoax-fears-after-falcon-says-we-did-this-for-the-show-20091016-h0j8.html| archive-date= October 19, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Reuters-hoax">{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE59E5H720091018 | title="Balloon boy" case a hoax, says sheriff; charges coming | access-date=October 20, 2009 |date=October 18, 2009 | work=Reuters | first=Dan | last=Whitcomb| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091019184129/https://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE59E5H720091018| archive-date= October 19, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-hoax">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/us/19balloon.html|title=Calling Story of Boy and Balloon a Hoax, Sheriff Seeks Felony Charges| access-date=October 20, 2009|last=Stelter|first=Brian|date=October 18, 2009|newspaper=The New York Times| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160129121118/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/us/19balloon.html| archive-date=January 29, 2016| url-status= live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iC6jwbmzuVUF4YLJVJo5CPNtOLxQD9CP97DG0 |title=Balloon boy parents are sent to jail for hoax |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226060711/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iC6jwbmzuVUF4YLJVJo5CPNtOLxQD9CP97DG0 |archive-date=December 26, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="Karin Devlin">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/21/balloon.hoax.fine/index.html|title=Balloon hoax dad must pay restitution|author=Karin Devlin|work=CNN|access-date=December 17, 2021|date=April 21, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100424232557/http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/21/balloon.hoax.fine/index.html?hpt=Sbin| archive-date= April 24, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jan-07-la-na-balloon-boy7-2010jan07-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Father of 'balloon boy' denies hoax | first=Nicholas | last=Riccardi | date=January 7, 2010}}</ref> On December 23, 2020, the Heenes were pardoned by Governor Jared Polis.<ref name=AP.Pardoned>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/us-news-colorado-denver-fa2071fb9e5a32a668654919bc729eda|title=Parents convicted in 2009 'balloon boy' hoax pardoned|publisher=Associated Press|date=December 23, 2020|access-date=December 23, 2020}}</ref>

==Background== Richard Heene ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|iː|n|i}}) and Mayumi Iizuka met at an acting school in Los Angeles, and married in 1997.<ref>{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Dan |title=Sheriff: Boy-in-balloon was hoax, charges expected |agency=Associated Press |location=Fort Collins, Colorado |date=October 18, 2009 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iC6jwbmzuVUF4YLJVJo5CPNtOLxQD9BDV3FO0 |access-date=November 12, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091027223435/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iC6jwbmzuVUF4YLJVJo5CPNtOLxQD9BDV3FO0| archive-date= October 27, 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ibLL-Qm2uk35zwcHcTlr11c1VaFwD9BG611G0 |title=Friend: Balloon mom will 'go down with the ship' |agency=Associated Press |date=October 22, 2009 |access-date=November 13, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091027071129/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ibLL-Qm2uk35zwcHcTlr11c1VaFwD9BG611G0| archive-date= October 27, 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://recorder.co.clark.nv.us/OnCoreWebEcommerce/ShowDetails.aspx?id=3942664 |title=Marriage Certificate |publisher=Clark County Recorder's Office |date=October 22, 2009 |access-date=November 13, 2009 }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> 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".<ref name="AP: Balloon Dad not shy">{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Dan |agency=Associated Press |date=October 18, 2009 |title=Balloon dad never shy about his bizarre stunts |location=Fort Collins, Colorado |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jtDn4Wq2stcxmBOzbwM1UJcCv-QwD9BDQ9B81 |access-date=November 12, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091027070906/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jtDn4Wq2stcxmBOzbwM1UJcCv-QwD9BDQ9B81| archive-date= October 27, 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> Heene became a storm chaser in the 1970s after a storm took the roof off a building he was working on.<ref name="AP: Balloon Dad not shy" /> 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.<ref name="AP: Balloon Dad not shy" /> He regularly involved his children in his endeavors, taking them along on UFO-hunting expeditions and storm-chasing missions.<ref name="AP: Balloon Dad not shy" /><ref name="AP: Family at center of balloon saga">{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Dan |title=Family at center of balloon saga under scrutiny |agency=Associated Press |date=November 12, 2009 |location=Fort Collins, Colorado |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ie0x4tv2tFVwxzfVpFiJG47OvbgwD9BCVKFG0 |access-date=October 20, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024115915/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ie0x4tv2tFVwxzfVpFiJG47OvbgwD9BCVKFG0| archive-date= October 24, 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Balloon Boy Mom">{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=Luchina |work=ABC News |date=October 19, 2009 |title=Balloon Boy Mom: Co-Conspirator or Abused Wife? |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/balloon-boy-mom-mayumi-heene-conspirator-abused-wife/story?id=8865824 |access-date=January 15, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150526114356/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/balloon-boy-mom-mayumi-heene-conspirator-abused-wife/story?id=8865824| archive-date= May 26, 2015 | url-status= live}}</ref>

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.<ref name="AP: Family at center of balloon saga" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Wife Swap - Episode Guide - Heene/Silver |work=ABC |url=http://abc.go.com/shows/wife-swap/episode-guide/heenesilver/161743?page=2 |access-date=February 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812090825/http://ww2.abc.go.com/shows/wife-swap/episode-detail/heenesilver/161743?page=2&nord=1 |archive-date=August 12, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref name="AP: Balloon Dad not shy" /> 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".<ref name="AP: Family at center of balloon saga" /> 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.<ref name="AP: Family at center of balloon saga" /> 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.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/10/20/heene.wife.swap/index.html | title=Lifetime pulls balloon boy's 'Wife Swap' episode from schedule | work=CNN | date=October 20, 2009 | access-date=December 17, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091024205918/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/10/20/heene.wife.swap/index.html?eref=igoogle_cnn| archive-date= October 24, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

===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".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Falcon Heene fuss all over "hovercar" experiment |work=news.com.au |date=October 16, 2009 |url=https://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/falcon-heene-fuss-all-over-hovercar-experiment/news-story/d4fb883899224204d35751945da1b6a8 |access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref> 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"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/lkl/date/2009-10-17/segment/01 |title= Transcripts |publisher=CNN|work=Larry King Live |date=October 17, 2009 |access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref> in order to "move left and right—horizontal".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/transcript-frantic-911-call-from-parents-of-balloon-boy |title=TRANSCRIPT: Frantic 911 Call From Parents of 'Balloon Boy' - Local News &#124; News Articles &#124; National News |work=FOXNews |date=October 16, 2009 |access-date=December 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020125405/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C567720%2C00.html |archive-date=October 20, 2009 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The balloon, {{convert|20|ft}} in diameter and {{convert|5|ft}} high,<ref name="cnn1" /> 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.<ref name="Telegram: Balloon parents">{{Cite news |title=Balloon parents "put on a very good show for us" |work=The Telegram |date=October 18, 2009 |location=Fort Collins, Colorado |url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20091018/NEWS/910189998/1116 |access-date=October 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902211602/http://www.telegram.com/article/20091018/NEWS/910189998/1116 |archive-date=September 2, 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="CNN: Balloon not capable">{{Cite news |title=Balloon "not capable of lifting off" with the boy, Colorado police say |work=CNN |date=October 18, 2009 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/18/colorado.balloon.vessel/index.html |access-date=December 17, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091021042046/http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/18/colorado.balloon.vessel| archive-date= October 21, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Fully inflated, a balloon of this size would contain just over {{convert|1000|cuft}} of helium.<ref name="avweb1">{{Cite news |last=Pew |first=Glenn |title=Balloon Boy - Some Math Behind The Story |work=AVweb |url=https://www.avweb.com/news/balloon-boy-some-math-behind-the-story/|access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref> Helium's lift capacity at sea level and 0 °C is 1.113&nbsp;kg/m<sup>3</sup> (0.07&nbsp;lbs/ft<sup>3</sup>) 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 {{convert|65|lbs}} at sea level and {{convert|48|lbs}} at {{convert|8000|ft}}.<ref name="avweb1"/>

Fort Collins is at an elevation of about {{convert|5000|ft}} and the balloon was estimated to have reached {{convert|7000|ft}}.<ref name="cnn1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kates |first1=Brian |last2=Goldsmith |first2=Samuel |title=Balloon boy's dad Richard Heene was arrested in 1997, spent 4 days in gaol |work=New York Daily News |date=October 19, 2009 |location=New York City, New York |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/balloon-boy-dad-richard-heene-arrested-1997-spent-4-days-jail-article-1.382313 |access-date=December 17, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091022071055/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/10/19/2009-10-19_balloon_hoaxers_lawyer_richard_heene_.html| archive-date= October 22, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Owens |first1=Ryan |last2=McCarthy |first2=Tom |last3=Schabner |first3=Dean |title="A Hoax ... a Publicity Stunt": Sheriff Lowers Boom on Heene Family Over Balloon Gambit |work=ABC News |date=October 18, 2009 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AheadoftheCurve/richard-heene-balloon-boy-family-face-charges/story?id=8856041 |access-date=October 20, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091020103627/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AheadoftheCurve/richard-heene-balloon-boy-family-face-charges/story?id=8856041| archive-date= October 20, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==Incident== thumb|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.<ref name="KMGH-TV Takeoff Video">{{Cite news |last=Gathright |first=Alan |title=Raw Home Video Of Balloon Launch Fuels Questions |work=KMGH-TV |date=October 16, 2009 |location=Fort Collins, Colorado |url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21316086/detail.html |access-date=October 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019135243/http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21316086/detail.html |archive-date=October 19, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Sky News Takeoff Video">{{Cite news|last=Braidwood |first=Joe |title=Balloon Drama Video Fuels Hoax Claims |work=Sky News |date=October 17, 2009 |location=United Kingdom |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Colorado-Boy-Balloon-Drama-Launch-Video-Fuels-Hoax-Claims---Falcon-Heene-Found-Safe/Article/200910315407699 |access-date=October 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020022130/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Colorado-Boy-Balloon-Drama-Launch-Video-Fuels-Hoax-Claims---Falcon-Heene-Found-Safe/Article/200910315407699 |archive-date=October 20, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Apparently believing the balloon to be tethered a few feet from the ground,<ref name="KMGH-TV Takeoff Video" /> 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!"<ref name="Sky News Takeoff Video" /> Falcon is nowhere to be seen and nobody mentions the possibility of Falcon being in the balloon.<ref name="KMGH-TV Takeoff Video" />

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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world/balloon-boy-father-called-faa-then-9news-before-calling-9-1-1_100261757.html |title='Balloon boy' father called FAA, then 9NEWS, before calling 9-1-1 |publisher=Thaindian.com |access-date=November 18, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091126174003/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world/balloon-boy-father-called-faa-then-9news-before-calling-9-1-1_100261757.html| archive-date= November 26, 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> They then called Denver NBC affiliate KUSA-TV; they reportedly requested that the station send a news helicopter to track the balloon's progress,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2009/10/17/was_balloon_drama_all_a_gag.html |title=Was balloon drama all a gag? |work=thestar.com |date= October 17, 2009|access-date=December 17, 2021 | location=Toronto | first1=P. Solomon | last1=Banda | first2=Ivan | last2=Moreno| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091020072143/http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/711813--was-balloon-drama-all-a-gag| archive-date= October 20, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/17/us/17balloon.html|title=Doubts Came Early in Balloon Incident|author=Brian Stelter and Dan Frosch|date=October 16, 2009 | work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Neil Katz |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/balloon-boy-falcon-heene-911-call-released/ |title=Balloon Boy Falcon Heene 911 Call Released - Crimesider |work=CBS News |date=January 15, 2007 |access-date=December 17, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091019050026/http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/16/crimesider/entry5389738.shtml| archive-date= October 19, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> and then called emergency services. During the call to 911 at 11:29{{nbs}}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."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.co.larimer.co.us/Sheriff/blotter/20091015.htm |title=Larimer County Sheriff's Office Incident Blotter (Thursday, October 15, 2009) |access-date=October 19, 2009 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608201958/http://www.co.larimer.co.us/Sheriff/blotter/20091015.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/transcript-frantic-911-call-from-parents-of-balloon-boy |title=TRANSCRIPT: Frantic 911 Call From Parents of 'Balloon Boy' - Local News &#124; News Articles &#124; National News |work=FOXNews |date=October 16, 2009 |access-date=December 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019095038/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C567720%2C00.html |archive-date=October 19, 2009 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The balloon, tracked by helicopters, drifted for {{convert|60|mi}}, 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/balloon-boy-charges-may-not-come-until-next-week/ |title=Balloon boy charges may not come until next week |work=Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California)|agency=AP|date=October 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408162156/http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2272640-181/balloon-boy-charges-may-not?gallery=2361178&artslide=0 |archive-date=April 8, 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref> The balloon finally landed two hours later at around 1:35{{nbs}}p.m. local time near Keenesburg, {{convert|12|mi}} northeast of Denver International Airport.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/10/officials-scramble-to-rescue-6yearold-boy-floating-away-in-hot-air-balloon.html |title=On Deadline: Breaking News & Must-Read Stories |publisher=Blogs.usatoday.com |access-date=November 18, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020023849/http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/10/officials-scramble-to-rescue-6yearold-boy-floating-away-in-hot-air-balloon.html |archive-date=October 20, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ortega |first=Tony |url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2009/10/is_there_a_kid.php |title=BALLOON BOY IN GARAGE THE WHOLE TIME - New York News - Runnin' Scared |publisher=Blogs.villagevoice.com |access-date=November 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091210163727/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2009/10/is_there_a_kid.php |archive-date=December 10, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

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,<ref name="cnn1" /> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theskichannel.com/news/skinews/20091015/Picture-of-falling-object-from-balloon-is-ominous-for-Fort-Collins-Heene-family|title=Picture of falling object from balloon is ominous for Fort Collins Heene family|access-date=October 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723092958/http://www.theskichannel.com/news/20091015/picture-of-falling-object-from-balloon-is-ominous-for-fort-collins-heene-family/|archive-date=July 23, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Search and rescue crews in Colorado searched for the boy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cbs4denver.com/local/Falcon.Heene.balloon.2.1250962.html |title=Crews Launch Search Effort For Ft. Collins Boy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017222059/http://cbs4denver.com/local/Falcon.Heene.balloon.2.1250962.html |archive-date=October 17, 2009 }}</ref>

At approximately 4:14{{nbs}}p.m., CNN and other news reported that the boy was found hiding in a cardboard box in rafters above the garage,<ref name="cnn1" /> 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.<ref>{{cite news |date= |title='Balloon boy' parents sentenced to jail time |publisher=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna34574260 |access-date=October 15, 2023 }}</ref> The helicopter flights alone during the rescue operation cost about $14,500.<ref>{{cite news |title=Colo. sheriff calls balloon saga a hoax |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna33340547 |access-date=December 18, 2021 |work=MSNBC |date=April 21, 2010 |language=en}}</ref> The Colorado National Guard assisted the effort with UH-60 Black Hawk and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenselink.mil//news/newsarticle.aspx?id=56259 |title=DefenseLink News Article: Guard Called in for 'Balloon Boy' Rescue |publisher=Defenselink.mil |date=March 12, 2009 |access-date=October 18, 2009 |archive-date=September 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929073041/http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=56259 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Hoax allegations and criminal investigation== ===Investigation=== After the incident, several news agencies began questioning whether it was a hoax.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-family-behind-the-balloon-boy-story/|title=The Family behind the "Balloon Boy" Story | work=CBS News | date=October 15, 2009}}</ref> ''Editor & Publisher'' pointed out that "few had raised the issue of whether such a balloon could even lift off with a {{convert|50|lbs|kg|adj=on}} kid inside and then float the way it did" during the flight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004022808|title='Boy in Balloon' Captivates Media: Balloon Lands And He's Not Inside--Hiding in Attic--Hoax?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018212044/http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004022808|archive-date=October 18, 2009|website=Editor and Publisher}}</ref> The police initially said it did not appear to be a hoax,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.9and10news.com/category/story/?id=177284|title=Balloon aftermath...Recovery warning...Lindsay Lohan|access-date=October 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723082957/http://www.9and10news.com/Category/Story/?id=177284&cID=3|archive-date=July 23, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> 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."<ref name="show"/> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ie0x4tv2tFVwxzfVpFiJG47OvbgwD9BC5KH80 |title=Balloon boy gets sick twice during TV interviews' |agency=Associated Press |date=October 16, 2009 |access-date=November 12, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091019151747/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ie0x4tv2tFVwxzfVpFiJG47OvbgwD9BC5KH80| archive-date= October 19, 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

Falcon's answers prompted the sheriff's office to pursue further investigations as to whether the incident was part of a publicity stunt.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/home-video-raises-questions-over-heene-family-balloon-ordeal |title=Home Video Raises Questions Over Heene Family Balloon Ordeal |work=Fox News |date=January 14, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016235235/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,567304,00.html |archive-date=October 16, 2009 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On October 16, Alderden said that "the suggestion that the boy{{nbs}}[...] was coached to hide seems inconceivable."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kionrightnow.com/story/11321450/sheriffs-say-boy-could-have-been-in-balloon?nav=menu1591_3_7_11&redirected=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814163300/http://www.kionrightnow.com/story/11321450/sheriffs-say-boy-could-have-been-in-balloon?nav=menu1591_3_7_11&redirected=true |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 14, 2013 |title=Sheriffs Say Boy Could Have been In Balloon |agency=Associated Press |publisher=KION |date=October 16, 2009 |access-date=August 14, 2013 }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8315042.stm |title=Americas &#124; Balloon family 'ready for arrest' |work=BBC News |date= October 19, 2009|access-date=December 18, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091020144946/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8315042.stm| archive-date= October 20, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> 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 ({{convert|37|lb|disp=or}}). However, when authorities later measured the balloon, they concluded it was not large enough to lift the child.<ref name="denverpost1" /><ref name="Telegram: Balloon parents" /> Upon inspecting the balloon, authorities learned it weighed {{convert|18|lb}} more than Heene had said. Alderden said the base of the balloon could have handled {{convert|37|lbs}} without breaking, but to get airborne with those {{convert|37|lbs}} inside it would have to have been attached to a larger balloon.<ref name="CNN: Balloon not capable" />

After viewing the home video of the balloon launch, Alderden said the balloon appeared to have been rising very quickly.<ref name="KMGH-TV Takeoff Video" />

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.<ref name='Reuters-hoax'/><ref name='NYTimes-hoax'/> Alderden stated that his comments on October 16 were part of a "game plan" to keep the Heenes' trust.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Balloon boy family feels "under siege," lawyer says |work=CNN |date=October 19, 2009 |location=Fort Collins, Colorado |url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/20/colorado.balloon.investigation/index.html |access-date=December 18, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091020025606/http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/19/balloon.boy.investigation/index.html| archive-date= October 20, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Heenes Surrender">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/us/20balloon.html |title=Parents in Balloon Case to Surrender |access-date=October 19, 2009 |author=Frosch, Dan |date=October 19, 2009 |work=The New York Times | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150605022442/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/us/20balloon.html| archive-date=June 5, 2015| url-status= live}}</ref>

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.&nbsp; &nbsp;

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."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/authorities-balloon-boys-mom-says-saga-a-hoax |title=Authorities: Balloon Boy's Mom Says Saga a Hoax |work=FOXNews | date=October 23, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180508185646/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2009/10/23/authorities-balloon-boy-mom-says-saga-hoax.html| archive-date=May 8, 2018| url-status= live}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/23/colorado.balloon.investigation/index.html |title=Documents: 'Balloon boy' dad had hoax in mind, wife says |work=CNN |date=October 23, 2009 |access-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091025232433/http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/23/colorado.balloon.investigation/index.html |archive-date= October 25, 2009 |url-status= live}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite news| title= Lawyer: 'Balloon boy' parents to plead guilty to hoax-related charges |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/12/balloon.boy.charges/index.html |work=CNN |date=November 12, 2009| access-date=November 12, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091113144409/http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/12/balloon.boy.charges/index.html| archive-date= November 13, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="CBC12Nov09">{{cite news|url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/balloon-boy-parents-to-plead-guilty-1.809030|title = Balloon boy parents to plead guilty|access-date = November 12, 2009|date=November 2009 | work=CBC News| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091115080229/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/balloon-boy-parents-to-plead-guilty-1.809030| archive-date= November 15, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/13/balloon.boy.heene/index.html |title=Father of 'balloon boy' pleads guilty |date=November 13, 2009 |access-date=November 13, 2009 |work=CNN| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091115145934/http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/13/balloon.boy.heene/index.html| archive-date= November 15, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

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.<ref name="sentenced">{{cite news |date=December 23, 2009 |title=US balloon boy parents are given jail sentences |publisher=BBC |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8429080.stm |access-date=December 23, 2009}}</ref> Richard Heene was also ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution.<ref name="Karin Devlin" /> 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."<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.npr.org/2020/12/24/950074173/balloon-boy-parents-pardoned-by-colorado-governor-for-2009-hoax |title='Balloon Boy' Parents Pardoned By Colorado Governor For 2009 Hoax |date=December 24, 2020 |access-date=May 2, 2023 |work=NPR| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230502052222/https://www.npr.org/2020/12/24/950074173/balloon-boy-parents-pardoned-by-colorado-governor-for-2009-hoax| archive-date=May 2, 2023 | url-status= live}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-balloon-boy7-2010jan07,0,902693.story | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Father of 'balloon boy' denies hoax | first=Nicholas | last=Riccardi | date=January 7, 2010}}</ref> In a 2015 interview with ''Today'', Heene repeated the claim that the incident was not a hoax.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=January 13, 2020 |title='It wasn't a hoax': Heene family reflects on 'balloon boy' headlines |url=https://www.today.com/news/heene-family-says-balloon-boy-headlines-wasnt-hoax-t45121 |website=TODAY.com |date=September 20, 2015 |last1=Murray |first1=Elizabeth}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/10-years-balloon-boy-family-denounce-idea-saucer/story?id=66604256 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=October 29, 2019 |title=10 years later, 'balloon boy' and his family speak out |website=ABC News |language=en |access-date=January 13, 2020}}</ref>

In an interview with the family for ''5280'', Mayumi brought forth handwritten notes for her attorney recounting the days preceding the event.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.5280.com/2019/09/the-balloon-boy-hoax-solved/ |magazine=5280 |title=The Balloon Boy Hoax—Solved! |first =Robert |last=Sanchez |date=October 2019 |access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref> 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.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

==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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/a-balloon-ride-to-fame-or-maybe-just-hot-air-20091016-h17d.html|title=A balloon ride to fame, or maybe just hot air' | location=Melbourne | work=The Age| first=Anne | last=Davies | date=October 17, 2009}}</ref> 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<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.borowitzreport.com/article.aspx?ID=7065 |title=New iPhone App Detects Balloon Hoaxes |publisher=Borowitz Report |access-date=October 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091030114658/http://www.borowitzreport.com/article.aspx?ID=7065 |archive-date=October 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://NotTheLATimes.com/jiffypop.html |title=Balloon Boy Jiffy Pop |publisher=Notthelatimes.com |access-date=October 20, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091022081100/http://notthelatimes.com/jiffypop.html| archive-date= October 22, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> of the story, which started even when the boy's safety was uncertain.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/boy-in-balloon-captivates-news-hungry-web/ |title=Boy in balloon captivates news-hungry Web'}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.urlesque.com/2009/10/15/balloon-boy-meme |title=Balloon Boy - Quickest Meme Ever?' |access-date=October 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723223814/http://www.urlesque.com/2009/10/15/balloon-boy-meme/ |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> "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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://gazette.com/news/balloon-boy-dominates-google-search-engine/article_cdd71f7a-72fb-5ce4-ab5b-8d5c9f296e00.html |title='Balloon boy' dominates Google search engine |publisher=The Gazette |date=October 15, 2009 |access-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019080846/http://www.gazette.com/articles/google-63876-saga-family.html |archive-date=October 19, 2009 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On ''Saturday Night Live'''s ''Weekend Update'', the balloon was interviewed by Seth Meyers.<ref>{{cite news |title=SNL Mocks News Coverage Of Balloon Boy Hoax (VIDEO) |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/snl-mocks-news-coverage-o_n_325069 |access-date=December 18, 2021 |work=HuffPost |date=18 March 2010 |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2011, Richard Heene auctioned the balloon, selling it to Mike Fruitman—an Aurora, Colorado, businessman—for $2,502.<ref name=Cox>{{cite news |last=Cox |first=John Woodrow |title=Balloon Boy's flying machine sold to Colorado business owner |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/balloon-boys-flying-machine-sold-to-colorado-business-owner/1181259 |access-date=December 1, 2011| newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |date=July 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001165320/http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/balloon-boys-flying-machine-sold-to-colorado-business-owner/1181259 |archive-date=October 1, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Heene said that proceeds would go to victims of the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.<ref name=Cox/>

===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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004022808 |title='Boy in Balloon' Captivates Media: Did They Blow the Story? |publisher=Editorandpublisher.com |date=October 15, 2009 |access-date=October 20, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091019135241/http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004022808| archive-date= October 19, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Amster">{{cite news |last=Amster |first=Sara-Ellen |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/saraellen-amster-phd/up-up-and-away-how-tv-new_b_329712.html |title=Up, Up and Away: How TV News Blew It |publisher=Huffington Post |date=October 22, 2009 |access-date=October 22, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091025194932/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/saraellen-amster-phd/up-up-and-away-how-tv-new_b_329712.html| archive-date= October 25, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> 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."<ref name="Woollard">{{cite news |last=Woollard |first=Rob |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gEjbyuexZF_bS9HD2-SfEjyJ9hCQ |title=Lessons of balloon hoax to go unlearned: analysts |agency=AFP |date=October 20, 2009 |access-date=November 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415223100/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gEjbyuexZF_bS9HD2-SfEjyJ9hCQ|archive-date=April 15, 2010 }}</ref>

== Documentary == The hoax is the subject of ''Balloon Boy'', a documentary short film directed by Arlin Golden and Brian Gersten. It consists of archival news footage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aeon.co/videos/coverage-of-the-balloon-boy-hoax-forms-a-withering-indictment-of-for-profit-news |website=Aeon |title=Balloon Boy|date=October 12, 2024|accessdate=June 24, 2025}}</ref>

A Netflix documentary film about the hoax titled ''Trainwreck: Balloon Boy'' which was written and directed by Gillian Pachter was released on July 15, 2025.<ref name="trainwreck">{{cite web|title=Trainwreck Revisits the Headline-Making Events That Went Terribly Wrong|date=May 7, 2025|url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/trainwreck-this-blew-up-release-date-news|website=Netflix Tudum}}</ref>

==See also== * Jetpack man, alleged unauthorized aerial vehicle and possible balloon in 2020s California * Lawnchair Larry flight

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons}} [https://vimeo.com/channels/staffpicks/952374565 Balloon Boy (2024) - short documentary about the balloon boy hoax] {{sister project links|Fort Collins, Colorado|auto=yes}} {{external media |float = right |image1 = [https://web.archive.org/web/20100705233454/http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01503/balloon-boy-3_1503168c.jpg Picture of balloon landing in a field] }} *{{IMDb name|1495980|Richard Heene}} *{{IMDb name|3646850|Mayumi Heene}} *{{IMDb name|3646854|Falcon Heene}} *{{IMDb name|1492961|Ryo Heene}} *{{IMDb name|1492960|Bradford Heene}} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcYGcBYzvWs Uncut home video of the balloon's liftoff], released to media by the Heene family * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DAnXVho0qA Audio of the Heenes' 911 emergency call], released by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120306045141/http://www.radaronline.com/sites/default/files/heene2009affidavit.pdf Heene 2009 Affidavit] * [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=106850166521932086166.000475ff9ba83a86281b9 Approximate flight path]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Balloon Boy Scandal}} Category:2009 hoaxes Category:2009 in Colorado Category:2009 in the United States Category:Balloons (aeronautics) Category:History of Fort Collins, Colorado Category:Hoaxes in the United States Category:Internet memes introduced in 2009 Category:October 2009 in the United States Category:Publicity stunts