CNN
Three days after the world watched a giant balloon fly through the air as a tearful family expressed fears that their 6-year-old boy could be inside, authorities announced what millions suspected: The whole thing was staged.
The "Aha!" moment that led authorities to realize what had happened was an interview with the family Thursday night on CNN's "Larry King Live," Sheriff Jim Alderden of Larimer County said Sunday. In the interview with Wolf Blitzer, filling in for King, the Heenes asked their son why he had not come out from hiding when they called his name.
"You guys said we did this for the show," the boy responded.
On Sunday, Alderden called the incident a "hoax," adding that investigators believe the evidence indicates that "it was a publicity stunt" by the family in hopes of "better marketing themselves for a reality television show at some point in the future."
© 2010 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertise with us | About us | Contact us | Help | Advertising Practices
The "Bullying: It Stops Here" town hall
Anderson answers your questions
The art of booking guests
If you watch the first Larry King Live video, at the beginning Mr. Heene states that he knew the kids played in the garage attic. But later on in the show, he states he didnt know anything about the attic being used to play in hmmmmm
So sad what they did not for those kids but what they did TO those kids with this nonsense.
So, so sad. The family ( read: parents) feel 'under siege'. Is that not what they intended to happen when this hare-brained scheme was cooked up? Of course it was. If my six year old was missing, the last phone call I'd make would be to NOAA and a local news station. It would be to law enforcement. Hmm.
The boy was not immediately located in the home. Then he was. Where was he? The body language of the parents is very, very telling. It appears their 'fifteen minutes' of fame with 'wife swap' wasn't long enough. Who invited the media into their home? They did. Who allegedly coached their kids? They did. Who passes himself off as a trained scientist? He does.
It appears he's gotten what he wanted: attention. Seems the old adage 'be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it'. I feel sorry for the children- and I feel outrage at the time and effort given to searching for the child- it could be better used for those truly in need.