The Boy and the Balloon

As soon as i saw the picture of the family I said "They were on Wife Swap!" It's totally the parents fault! The episode was one of the best, being that the father was nuts and both parents put storms in front of their families safety, it made a dramatic episode! Though I'm glad the boy is safe, the mental sanity of the family still needs to be found!!!!!!

Anyone with children knows how unpredictable they are.
No the parents should not be punished, the two hours of terror they
went through was enough.

I work in the Human Service feild and if we were to loose one of the clients we work with we could end up loosing out job. As a parent i would have searched the house as some one was following the balloon. Parents are responsible for taking care of and keeping track of their children. When my son lived with me I knew where he was at all times.

Falcon and the Show man……
Wow- they sure took over the air waves-
Better show than the usual pack of lies and machinations
we see played out on the news each day,
But, fake or not , I don’t blame this family of camera hams for the media taking off with a story when they don’t have the facts, just rumours.
Newsflash: Alien family spacecraft lands in Colorado!

After the dust settled and all factors became apparent.It is most probable that those parents coached those kids to lie to law enforcement as a stunt. If it were in fact an impromptu happening why where the other children on the roof of the house with a camera to film it? And why did the boy tell Larry King "he was told to do that for a TV show " ! This along with the video that was listed on You Tube expose these parents as attention grabbing nut cases that should not be the major influences on young children!

This family is clearly looking for media attention. They should be responsible for all expenses incured with this wild goose chase. They should be ashamed of their actions.

As a mother of a young child i was at work on the edge of my seat updating this story hoping he was ok. To hear he was in the house the whole time, the first thing i said was it was for spotlight. i cant believve the family would do that to us. Children speak the truth and he said, we did it for the show.

It's hard to believe that the parents couldn't get the truth out given the seriousness of what was happening. Let them pay the bill for wasting our law enforcement time.

HUGE publicity stunt; look at the track record for this family. This kid was not afraid to get in trouble, and the dad was looking for another 15 minutes on TV.

Glad the kid was safe...but the plot of this story would make the best childrens movie...

How are you not covering Wolf Blitzers CNN Interview where the boy says " You said we did this for the show," and the Fathers rambling attempted recovery? Regardless of if this is a hoax or not, the family should be made to repay all of the expenses incurred. Their negligence put their child in harms way. I am happy that people cannot fathom the parents staging this, as that gives me hope that there are people out there who are still good and kind and not media whores.

Seriously, CNN needs to get back to reporting news that's relevant to all. I'm glad to hear that the little boy was not in the balloon, but to follow the story LIVE for over two hours was insane! There are far more important issues that need to be brought to the forefront. There are those of us who watch the news for pertinent information and in my opinion this was not pertinent enough to provide LIVE coverage for over 2 HOURS! Come on CNN let's get back to reporting news the way you once did without all the irrelevant stories across America!

I am glad the little boy was found safe, but i think someone needs to look in on the family. Storm chasing is not a safe and the parents are putting the children in danger.

Happy ending?...The mental stability of these parents should be questioned and investigated. These children are obviously are not being reared in a healthy environment. Some intervention by CPA is definately in order to secure the safety of the children's future!

The parents should not be punished by our government over this event. It was unfortunate and unintentional. The family has suffered enough. Period.

HEY! That family was on the reality show "Wife Swap" or "Trading Spouses" (not sure which one)!! Are you sure this wasn't some type of publicity stunt??!! I notice after someone appears once on a reality show, they find ways of getting back on other ones. I think they become drunk with celebrity. And let me tell you, that father was a lunatic tornado chaser! The show featured the fact that this family took risks and didn't keep track of their kids! A coincidence? I think not!

HOAX and the whole family was in on it Yes thank god the boy is ok
I think they did it for attention and they are getting it . Some people like attention weather it is – or + but I would make them pay for that attention. Next the whlole family will be on a TV talk show making money from it all. STOP IT NOW MAKE THEM PAY FOR ALL THE TROUBLE THEY CAUSED

Was I the only person that heard the little boy say during the Larry king hour when he was asked why he pretended to be inside of the ballon then went in the attack he said [quote] you said we were doing it for the show. The woman that gave the interveiw from wife swap stated in her interveiw that she hope the father was not doing it for publicity. This was the parents idea for publicity , and they need to be charged.

The incident was poorly done by this 6 year old litle boy. Fun for the experience, buy to report that he may have been inside was wrong...be more careful next time!

How does a 6 year old think to do this?I am relieved he is OK, but what a mess it caused.

The Heene family has taken you all for a ride. That Dad is full of it; watch him on Wife Swap.

Give me a break. Sure, I watched yesterday and I believe for about 2 minutes that the child was in the balloon. then my "gray matter" kicked in. No way. Enough already on this hoax. All I can say, "publicity stunt". He needs to pay the cost for this!!!

why in the world would anybody think that boy would be in that balloon.were children supervising this ? W.T.H.

Being an old Fart and rather cynical, it is my opinion that anyone who is attention starved or greedy enough to go on one of those reality shows, they would not be above staging something like that. The problem would be that being six years old, you can never be sure what the little fella would say or do when questioned.
Thanks Pete Mills Mt. Gilead, Ohio

Good thing the boy was safe but it was all for the family's ratings....theres no way a 6yr old could reach the attic steps

Hmmmm I am glad to see that this child is safe and ok, but something in the back of my mind says this family is media hungry and loves being in the spot light. I mean the experts knew that no one could actually ride in this homemade contraption, so I am sure the father knew this as well. I hope this is the case, but I think it just might be. I mean really this much hype Hmmmmm just leaves mean to think there is more there.

I didn't see the story unfold; however, I did see the interview with the family sitting on the couch yesterday and noticed that no one listens to children. When the little boy was first asked, "Did you hear us calling?" and "Why didn't you come out?" He answered, "Yes" and "because you said it was for the show..." I was instantly put off by the thought that this father planned the episode. I did not know this family was on television before or that there was a huge rescue effort until this morning... I now feel sick at the thought of what I feel certain was a hoax.

I'm hapy they found him quickly. Now we don't have to sit through a thousand and one press confresses.

Ground the boy, and take dad's balloon away!

Im not convinced for one second that this was an accident. The story doesn't piece together. The parents are manipulating the media at the expense of an innocent 6 yr. old. This was all planned to get press...ashame. The fathers crocodile tears wouldn't even come out in the interview. The fathers questions and the 6 yr old response sound scripted.

Yes we were all up tight about the little boy, but thank God he is safe.
The goal was to save him and he is safe. The little guy has only been on the earth for 6 yrs. It was very good training for our searcher. I think the fear of your child in danger is punishment enough, and being in a box afraid and the talking to after was painful. Lets just accept it as a great human interest story. It just goes to show little boys keep us on our toes.

might make a good childrens book on why you shouldn't lie.

I watched the interview with Wolf last night when Wolf ask the dad to ask the boy if he heard them calling his name and why didn't he come out....the boy said to his dad because you guys said it was all for a show.

These parents need to pay back all the money that was spent!!!

The saddest part of the whole balloon incident was how bad Wolf Blitzer was trying to get someone…anyone…to say the “black” image on the still shot was probably the 6 year old. Poor reporting!

OMG!!! Are you people stupid? It's a HOAX!!! The "father" is clearly determined to be "famous"

This family is totally nuts and I wouldn't put anything past them. If you have any doubts, check out their two appearances on "Wife Swap."
The Dad comes across as a raving lunatic and the Mother doesn't appear to have much more sense as she blindly follows her husband without questioning his insanity.
Child Protective Services should have investigated this family after their appearances on "Wife Swap." And they really need to step in after this ordeal before one of those children really do get seriously injured.

I watched that Wife Swap show. I think the dad want's to be famous and on TV for anything. He even tried singing on TV. I hate to say it but I think it was all made up from the start yesterday for attention because what he does with his so called chasing storms is getting him no where. They are nuts I mean just watch the wife swap show they were on. They should have to pay for every dime spent.

and proceeds should go to pay the expenses for all the emergency equipment, see look at the brighter side.

Now the woman on air you say "swapped" with this family DIDN'T! She was on a different episode of Wife Swap. Don't you people check anything before you air it?

BUSTED!!! " You said to do it for the show " Enough said

I belive Dad misses the "spotlight" so much he made his son a real puppet. Guess what Dad, this puppet talks and tells the real story, and I would not try to be an actor in any drama films anytime soon if I were you.

The more info we were given on the family clearly shows glaring glamorized, sensationalized poor parenting skills. I truly am glad the boy is safe & unharmed, but have great concern that this matter needs to be looked at by Child Welfare services.

Robin, As a former police officer I had stated to my friends "He's hiding somewhere" as this drama played out. Parents know all of their kids hiding spots and that spot sounded pretty cozy. As a cop I'd have searched that house and surrounding area top to bottom and questioned the parents as to the kid's hiding spots. Something is seriously wrong here.

A comment on the boy in a balloon story.
Happy endings rule!

As soon as I saw the photo of the family I knew they were, from "Wife Swap". Anyone who saw that episode knows these are over-dramatic people and they are doing eveything to get on television...they want their own reality show and Dad is their manager and producer.

This is a hoax so PLEASE stop covering it like he was in there. That fabric is very thin, if you have ever touched a weather balloon you would know this was a stunt. It is not thick and capable of supporting weight. The little boy even slipped up on camera. That balloon was hauling – he engineered it to look like it has a "basket". Dad put a lot of thought into this thing.

What I want to know is why were' t these kids in school???

Something about this story smells fishier than Boston. Why would the father have his "weather balloon" already filled and ready to fly, and further yet; why would he or ANYONE allow unsupervised access to the balloon by small children when it was ready to be airborne? It all seems so pre-arranged, including the "safe" return of the child to the family.

Maybe people are over-reacting to the antics of a 6 year old. He was "goofing around" with dad's balloon and it got away. He and his brother got scared. The brother thought the six year old got in the box/basket attached to thebaloon. The balloon was swept away by a gust of wind, meanwhile th 6 yr.old hides in the attic. HE'S SIX! Get that!?!
So now the press quotes him and makes it out to be an intentional stunt to create a National Drama. What do YOU think we should do, flog him, then drag him behind a truck for a while, then make him write "i will not play with dad's balloon a trillion times????
It reminds me of an episode of "Leave it to Beaver" where Beaver and Gilbert climb up in the coffee cup on the billboard and get stuck, and the fire dept. has to come rescue them.
At the end of the day, the kid is 6. Why don't we let his dad handle the discipline??? Lets' keep our focys on the important things!!!

I just wanted to express how disgusted I am in CNN. While I don't want to seem like an insensitive citizen, as a very frequent viewer of CNN, I was very disrespectful to interrupt the President of the United States with this story. While it was breaking news, to interrupt the President's address for over 20 minutes was unacceptable. I have been a viewer of CNN for quite some time and never have I seen such disrespect shown for the President. These actions by CNN was viewed among myself and my peers both black and white alike as very racial. Unfortunately there are still many American citizens that have not embraced cultural diversity in this country and it is just sad. Whether we like him or not he is still the President and deserves as much, if not more respect than past Presidents. And while CNN may believe that they were extending a courtesy to the President to air his address on yesterday, it is not your courtesy it is your PRIVILEGE! I definitely would have expected more professionalism from a World leader in news broadcasting like CNN. So please in the future be more considerate and respectful of our President and his supporters who truly believe in him and want to hear the important messages he has to deliver.
Thank you.

i seen the parents on wife swap and i thought they were a little
strange. i wonder if they knew he was hiding all along!! it wouldnt
suprise me!!

This story is getting really old, really fast. Isn't there anything else to report on? it's literally getting half the air time. The boy is fine.....lets move on.

After watching the interview, and the smerks on the families faces, I would THINK that the parents should have to pay back this large expence that occured !!!!! Double thoughts....was ths just for "the show" ? Parents are liabel for childrens actions in our State ....whats wrong with this picture ?

Im sitting here watching CNN now and this story has replayed a million times already. BACK TO THE NEWS!! THE KIDS OKAY!! THE PARENTS ARE CRAZY!! Well probably see him on celebrity REHAB next..

Another Note: YOU'RE GORGEOUS ROBIN!!!!!

The balloon does not look large enough to have lifted the boy (aprox. 50 LBS ) and the balloon looks to be a sealed unit. So the balloon would have deflated if the boy tried to get inside the balloon.
Darrell in Dover Ohio

Big Stunt...The child told it all. 6 year olds really cant lie!!!

I am so tired of this story already. Can we just get on with the Larry King interview of the family so the story can die already?

IT JUST HAD TO BE A HOAX. WHY? THIS IS WHY. THE ELDEST SON SAID HE SAW THE YOUNGER SON BOARD THE CRAFT WHICH WAS A FABRICATION. THE BOY HIDES IN A BOX IN THE GARAGE RAFTERS WHILE THIS ENTIRE EVENT UNFOLDED. IT WAS AN "ATTENTION GETTER" DREAMED UP BY THE FATHER. HE WANTED TO PUT ON A SHOW JUST AS IN "WIFE SWAP". I AM QUITE SURE, THE ENTIRE FAMILY KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

Of course the authorities are going to say this does not appear to have been a hoax because they do not want to look like fools, not unlike the news media that spent the entire afternoon on this. Just put a pic of it in the corner of the screen and go to it if something is happening. Same goes for Shep and his car chases...enough! These folks need to pay for the services they utilized for this scheme.

heard on another network that the boy, when asked why he didn't answer the calls for him, said he was told not to because it was going to be a movie. A Hoax? For sure– another someone wanting 15 minutes of fame

Im sorry, I belive this is a Hoax.. The father is looking for attention, and the mother just follows. So your telling me the lil'boy hid in the attic for hours? Kids usually hide out for about 15 mins.. Im really questioning this whole entire stunt.

Out of the mouth of babes....no question that whether the father planned the stunt or not, somewhere along the line these kids have been encouraged to do wacky stunts for 'the show.' A six-year old didn't just pull that out of thin air. At the least they need to be responsible for the search costs.

Run away balloon – Run away bride.....the media continues to be
buffaloed. The guy loves the limelight. Wake up!
J. Funfsinn

The balloon is down. Good
The boy is safe. Good
Is the father an idiot? Jury is still out onthat.
Is this story overdone? YES, move on.

Once my youngest son (who is now 31) fell asleep in his bedroom closet when he was @ 5 or 6 yrs old. I called and searched all around the house, and had everyone in the family looking for him. We thought he had gone out into the woods by our house. After @ 20 minutes he woke up and came down stairs. These things do happen.

While watching, my heart was aching for his parents. Then when we learned he was okay and just hiding, because he didn't want to get in trouble. I viewed it as a learning experience for my children. No matter what they do, that scaring us half to death was worse.

I am stunned by how quick the populous is to disparage the father of The Baloon Boy That Wasnt. Here is a man that obviously loves his children and is passionate about his hobby. He involves his family in his passion. In a world of so many broken homes and absent parents, this man should be praised for passing on knowledge and skills to his children.

UNBELIEVABLE!! i cant believe that we would waste quality air time with all the things that the U.S. has going on that is worth covering. This stunt is without question a publicity stunt and it truly goes to show the desperation and craziness that has been brought on by all the reality TV shows.

Shakespeare said "All the world's a stage."
Apparently the news is a stage too.
And Balloon Boy's family and Wolf Blitzer and Larry King are merely players. I hope this was the family's final scene.

Don't think for one moment that this wasnt about getting back into the spotlight. Falcon even gave it away on Larry King. The parents need to pay the expense of all of the emergency workers chasing that balloon.

Robin i think the family did this to get the attention of the balloon creation. I thought tip before comment by box was made. The fathers reaction when he was found was now believable. I am very glad the ant was safe, but the parents should be aware of karma.

I would be so proud of HLN to be first to come out with disproving the balloon gag. Dad made the UFO shape for a reason – it flies upright and looks like it has a "basket." There is no door to crawl in – it is just a very thin weather baloon with no capacity for supporting anything. The whole family knew Falcon wasn't "in" the balloon. Well done, Dad, but you will be exposed. CSI! CSI!

Make the father pay for his fame.

I can't figure out how the tracking of the balloon went on for so long. As I understand it there was something attached to the balloon that Falcon would have been in. With all the close up shots didn't the parent's realize early on that Falcon was not with the balloon? I feel that a lot of concern, money and time was wasted, who's responsible? I am so thankful that Falcon was safe at home but things just don't add up for me.

I'm sorry, but even before I heard that this family was on the Reality TV show Wife Swap, it had all the makings of a huge but scary publicity stunt to get some TV time for a struggling scientist and his family. Only problem is now is that the media will now play out this story for days and days and days until we're sick of it or something else better comes along. Enough already !

The emercency response teams, the entire system for each local that was involved with the tracking, etc of the balloon should grade themselves accordingly. consider the happy ending the only important issue. the balloon certainly checked the emergency response systems
even planned practices could not have given a truer reading of how well your system is working at any given time. congrat's to all

It is so obvious that it was a stunt, that the media could grab at and make it a big padoo just what the family wanted. I am glad the boy is ok but he needs to be punished big time. Enough is enough, no more publisity, PLEASE!!!

Finding the pilot, of one of the two fighter jets that crashed , is much more newsworthy than a story about someone who wants some attention.

this was clearly a manufactured situation designed to save the father from further ridicule for his creations. it flew. that's enough of this moronic claptrap. ~svn seven

Now that we know the 6 year old is safe, shouldn't someone be asking why this kid and his 2 brothers weren't in SCHOOL at the time instead of playing and messing around with a homemade weather balloon??????

Robin, my husband and I told my 22 year old son this morning about the balloon boy since he worked and was in school all day yesterday. We are all glad the boy is safe but had a laugh because this is something my son would have done. He was my impulsive, daredevil child who thankfully made it to adulthood. Sure the boys parents are quirky but kids are kids and no matter how well supervised some will find trouble no matter what. My son said had it been him he would have found a way to get it off the ground with him in it no matter what. Most boys just need commonn household items and access to a garage to get into trouble.

Maybe the boys were trying to make a UFO movie. At least they weren't glued to violent Video Games, planning to set small Mammals on Fire, or whining about how bored they all were . Give those Parents a Break!!

Robin i think the family did this to get the attention of the balloon creation. I thought this before the boys comment was made. The fathers reaction when he was found was not believable. I am very glad the boy was safe, but the parents should be aware of karma.

These two parents should have their kids placed in Foster Care. The father should be punched in the face & The mother deported back to Japan.

This is Roxanne, Please take my last name off

My question is: What are these boys doing home on a Thurdsay afternoon? Don't they go to school? Interesting that the father claims that this was not a stunt yet this morning the entire family is appearing on NBC's Today Show. I think the money they recieve for appearing should be given to the county for the expenses, resources and time they wasted on this story.

Enough already!

This piece of "so-called" news is not worthy of all of this coverage. It is sure "interesting" that this family has been in the news before. And by the way, who pays the bill for the military follow-up?

When I first saw the live footage of the balloon and the reports of the young child onboard my first thought was did ANYONE bother checking the home to see if he was there? I have been policing for over 32 years and missing children 101 calls say search the home first before going crazy chasing other leads. Had this been done properly alot of grief and expense could have been saved. It is very normal for children who think they are in trouble to hide. Unless you have confirmed reliable information the child was in the balloon when it took off, which apparently there was not, this incident should have been handled differently.

when i seen the story i yelled to my husband hey, they were on wife swap!! i called it before he was found. on the show wife swap the father seemed to be trying to put his name out there. so, when i seen them i knew the boy was hiding!!!!

Whenever a child is involved in some sort of tragedy I get physically upset. I followed this story from work to home...waiting anxiously to hear if he was ok. If this was a hoax these people should be punished...Teaching their kids to lie to LE !! Wait til these kids get older...we reap what we sow!

One helicopter crash, one vehical crash with an emergency responce team, or even one heart attack of a volunteer and the story would have had a tragic ending. My opinion...this was publicity stunt designed by the father. A stiff fine, community service, or even a little jail time for risking life and limb of all those who responded to rescue or report the event.

I just watched that family on wife swap and I will tell you, those parents need some serious psychiatric help, they didn't care what their kids did on the show, the more dangerous the better. The father is very arrogant and put women at the bottom of the spectrum. And he was saying on the show how he is such a good father. Their is nothing wrong with building that balloon, but you need to know where your children are at especially when they are just 6 years old. I think the father was looking for more attention and doesn't care how he gets it, even at the expense of his children.

http://www.youtube.com/user/YouTubianAwards#p/u/43/xu7Wwz5B9CE

WAKE UP PEOPLE. we live in an age where ANYONE is a click away.

here is profile on youtube and all his submissions.

this was an obvious hoax.

the parents are in for some trouble.

SCAM SCAM SCAM!

These poor parents, thinking that their little boy was in that balloon. I can't imagine how scared they were. Thank God he was in the attic and not in that balloon. Thankfully he is okay, and safe.

My first thought was 'have they fully checked the house to make sure he isn't at home somewhere?'
Second thought was "How does this thing house a passenger?" Parents would surely have seen footage and known there was nowhere he could be...then a "basket" story?? I think the basket case would be useful for the parents!!

This family obviously like the limelight, they have been on tv and submitted to online science sites.....what an effective way of promoting their design. ....worth not finding the son till after the fact!
Now they need to accept responsibility for payment.

If any person saw the tv show "wife swap" (on ch. 35 here in rochester). You would know this guy is NUTS!
I truely believe he did this for media attention.
whats that saying.....RIGHT OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES! His son even said "you said we were doing this for TV dad. He should have to pay back all the money it cost to go on this wild goose chase. This is an act. All this fake crying he's doing now that he knows he may be held accountable is bull. If anyone can dig up clips from the show you'll see what I'm talking about. The mother is not playing with a full deck either. Lets see if anyone believes him after they see the wack-job on wife swap....
Kelly
Rochester, N.Y

This is a good way to show off the experiment for free and
find out its performance.

The police were slow to do their job. I have been a police officer for 30 years and one of the first things we are told in dealing with missing persons is to search the house. Even the attic in the garage should have been searched. Kids hiding in their own home is very common.

I call BS on this! The guy calls the NEWS channels Before the police? He is just trying to keep his 15 minutes of fame from that reality show. Please stop feeding his ego.

The parents no matter what should have to pay ALL the costs.

Cry crockodile tears today on TV. What a hoax. Just saw video on CNN the parents were less than a foot away from the balloon when it " took off". And Falcon said on Larry King Live last night, he did "it" for the show. All this lying to get on TV once AGAIN!!!!!! SHAME ON THEM!!!!! Call child protective services and remove the children and make the parents pay every penny for this stunt! Maybe then they ALL will learn a life lesson.

I am not a person who handles bad things happening to kids well. Having raised kids of my own I could only imagine how I would react if that were to happen to my kids or my grandkids. I'm not ashamed to say that I was glad when I first heard about it I was listening to Real Radeo on XM and wasn't watching. Especially when there were reports that something had fallen from the balloon. I just want to know two things. One: So what have we learned should something like this happen again? Is there someone working on a plan to rescue someone (especially a child) trapped in a runaway ballon? Because it didn't look like an easy fix.

Two: Who the hell cut that kid's hair? Are there plans on tying that person to a balloon and setting it free? Because I'm all in favor of that!

OH MY GOSH! If I had to hear that story about the little boy this morning one more time I thought I would scream. I mean sure, a small blip, but I heard it atleast (I lost count) fifteen times in an hour. Nothing about the war, healthcare or the economy. With so many more important issues happening in the world right now, why waste so much time on some eccentric people who can't keep tabs on their child? It is enough to make me switch to another channel in the mornings.

I, myself would like to know more about the comment last night on Larry King with Wolf Blitzer. When asked if his mom and dad heard him calling him. The boy replied yes but you said we did this for a show. Something seems really fishy to me. If I thought one of my babies was flying away in a balloon I would be hysterical!! This just seemed way to planned. I thought it from the begining! They just seem way to nonchalant about the whole thing!! Hmmmm.

what a waste of my tax $$$$$$

they should serch the house from the beginning right???????? hei but i'm not a SCIENTIST

You CANT put up a show on my expense. they should go to jail. i wprk hard for my money, or may be i should build a paper boat a play the crazy sailorman??????????

If the father and family are storm chasers,why wasnt he chaseing the ballon if he thought the boy was inside it......

Those who are second-guessing this family must be terribly boring parents. Any situation can go wrong, whether you are teaching a child how to sew or snow ski or whatever. Adventure has a certain amount of risk, but it is even more unhealthy to rear kids in a bubble. Leave this family alone.

If you believe this is NOT a hoax then you need a new pair of reality glasses. I believed it while it was fresh but certainly not now. Wake up people.
My advice for the father is when you cry deceptively, have some tears, and what about the boy saying, and I quote. “You guys said that we did it for the show.”

I believe this story needs to be investigated a little further, due to media attention and this families past television spotlight. Obiviously, this is not your ordinary family.

Our local radio in Madison WI, is reporting that the family was on Wife Swap and that the boy said to his dad, You said that we were just go to make this a show.

This was obviously a publicity stunt. This was made clear when the little boy replied to a question, "We did it for the show." OOOPS! Parents forgot to rehearse the answer for that question! After being on Wife Swap, they must have missed being on TV and wanted another 15 min. of fame.

You keep saying that authorities don't think it was a hoax but I have to wonder if they are still saying that after that interview with Wolf. I'd like you to have someone from the Sheriff's department on and show them not just the clip of the boy saying "we did it for the show" but also the entire clip of the end where Wolf readdressed the question. The dad's whole manner and body language screamed deception. He looked caught in a trap and then lashed out with faux outrage. Seriously, play both clips and not just the little boy.

I believe this was a hoax. How anyone can watch that interview, with the terrible acting, and the child saying "you guys said....um, we did it for the show".

I know you don't want to admit to being duped but how about some actual objectivity and reporting, instead of trying so hard to be balanced and covering your a$$es by saying one side of the coin and then showing the other and calling it good. That's the problem with the media these days.

Out of the mouths of babes....always comes the truth. After the comments from the boy that you have just shown,it was obviously a hoax. The family obviously loves being in the spotlight,given their other TV appearances

Easy solution: If the media, as a whole, would stop treating all reports like "Reality TV" and giving "blow by blow" to every "Tom, Dick, or Harry", media hounds and publicity seekers would not have the forum for national attention that drives them to do stupid things!

Has anyone there ever seen Myth Busters? He would need about 100 or so balloons like that to get him off the ground. This is not news. The way it's being reported is just ridiculous.

does anyone recognize this family from the reality show "wife swap"?????? they were proud to be werckless and the visiting mom emphasized safety with this family. i guess they did not learn a thing from that....... send them the bill.

Robin iam very glad that the boy is ok but I think that is is time to go on to other news stories. Why use so much time on one story. The little girl missing from Florida ( Ron Cummings) daughter. This boy is okay, Haeligh is still missing.

While the expense and danger of the rescue efforts are regrettable, these parents have raised their boys to have courage, curiosity, and ingenuity. While many are decrying the parents, I know their children will make far greater contributions to this world than children raised by fearful parents who (self-righteously) feel that it is normal and possible to know every moment what their child is doing and who have to direct every aspect of their children's lives–the same parents who sign their children up for the "run-here-run-there" lifestyle that keeps them chronically tired, instead of personally spending time with the child to share a skill, make an observation, appreciate nature's wonders, or invest in the moral development of the child.

Robin, after watching everything yesterday on the baloon and the child they thought was in it play out, I have a question. Why did the father who built this not be able to tell from all the pictures the basket was not attached, so, therefore, his child could NOT be with or in the baloon?? Has or would someone please ask him as the so called INVENTOR and knowing there was no way the child could have been inside the baloon and nothing attached to hold the child, why he let this go on?

Boy in the balloon. Fake ! Publicity Stunt ! The kid was never in danger so there is no need to be relieved ! Did you see the kid on Larry King stating "we did it for the show"? And this morning, the kid was throwing up on the Today Show and the parents did not seem concerned. Was this another act ? They seem to be avoiding the questions regarding his comment.
And, all of the networks are ignoring the facts to keep the story going for ratings. The family should be fined, pay for all of the services, and go away.

The parents knew that a basket was not attached to that balloon, so they in turn knew there was no way the boy was with the balloon. Yet, they wasted emergency resources trying to locate where he might have fallen, etc. This was a stunt by the parents and they should be made to pay restitution to all of the agencies involved. They got their 15 minutes, so I hope they're happy. I am disgusted by this "show" and I hope CPS takes a good look at these parents.

After watching Wife Swap, I came away with the impression that the parents were mentally unstable. I hope social services will now investigate the home environment of the children.

I hope that every agency involved in the "rescue" effort sends a bill to his sorry excuse for a mom and dad. And as for the kid...well, he's lucky he isn't mine.

It takes some kinda ignorance to think a grown man could pull off a hoax like this. Not only that, but, the child now has a father figure who teaches him its ok to lie.

The balloon shown does not have the lift capabilities to raise a small child. It is used as an attention getting device at store openings, etc. It was phony from the beginning. The father was behind all of this. He should be ashamed and paints a bad picture for all of us real "Skywarn" stormchasers. Shame, also, on news outlets for not thinking this event out before putting people in termoil.

I think that there is alot of other underlying issues going on with this family that most are missing, due to the current addiction to reality TV. It was evident on "Wife Swap," that this family is being held hostile by the irate, tyrant, and verbally abusive husband, the family is afraid of him! The wife has only spoken once on TV, she is TOTALLY submissive to his verbally abusive behavior, and the children are afraid to speak the truth of what goes on behind closed doors. the Dad's behaviors seems very manic and unpredictable, even the house is in disarray... HINT! There IS dysfunction occurring here! There needs to be more familal investigation, Dad needs court mandated anger management classes. Where were the scent dogs? If this was a family of ethnic distant, they would have to pay for the costs; undergo protective service evaluations; and temporary loss of their children. their CNN association should not hinder teaching the Father to seek help and grow up! He was a construction worker, before his "scientific" career. Aliens? no, Abuse! Remember Susan Smith? Please!

I was on the edge of my seat, as most of the world was. I was glad to see a happy ending to this. I am also very suspicious of the father and how he has handled himself on nation wide television this morning!

Wally

there have been a lot of unanswered questions and guessing....but all the way from hong kong, when this news broke out, all i had in mind was i couldn't imagine the fear in the parents of losing their child's live because of the balloon that was supposed to be used in a family activity.....so to go to school knowing that the boy is safe is better than anything else..

IT was 3 kids ! HE HID IN THE ATTIC AND THE POLICE WERE WITH THE PARENTS. HECK i THINK ALL the Kids al had a part in this , but mostly the younger kid Falcon so he hid when his prank on his brothers went awry.After talking the kid on to there fathers balloon they were loosing the rope. i can just hear them ,Come on Falcon's are suppose to fly get in.Falcon then Falcon crawled out because he was scared without the older brothers seeing , and when the older kids accidentally let the balloon go they thought he was still in there . So everyone thought he was in it and got scared, meanwhile the little kid got scarred when his prank on the older kids went wrong. And perhaps the dad did mention getting on TV with the balloon, after all they had been on CNN weather show before . So when the balloon got lose the little kid knew he would get in trouble for helping to let the balloon lose and tried to hide. Once I hid for over an hour for trying to dye my hair with food coloring. Kids!

We were traveling and didn't hear any of this. I am so glad the little boy is unharmed, but also glad we were spared hours of unnecessary anguish over an innocent boy's possible demise. Terrible hours for those who are compassionate.

The parents did suffer trama as all parents would. Their choice of no punishment sends the wrong message to their children. How many times do we remember as a child for getting in trouble, because we learned it's one we hopefully won'r repeat.
Their is a problem with that situstion and everyone see's it. But, at the end of the day the child has no remorse, because he has not been taught to be accountable.
However, with all the blunders from the living environement, the main thing and also a blessing is that the child is alive and well. Hopefully the parents learned a lesson that will benefit their child long term. But, thus far their words give no indication they did!

I'm curious why no one is concerned with this family storm chasing with children in their car? Isn't this child endangerment? Very stupid idea in my opinion!

Steven Spielberg couldn't have written a more nail biting scene. On the one hand, I didn't want to watch for fear he would fall out of the balloon, yet I couldn't keep my eyes off the tv.
What a blessing he's safe.

Frankie
Alabama

If the family was looking for attention, I hope they get it in the form of a very large fine.

I think it was planned. The little boy seemed to repeating what he heard, as kids do. Also the parents did not look relieved after such a terrible event taking place. And did you see the dads face when the little boy said that it was for t.v. if not look again. his face said it all, oops i'm busted.

I don't think that the parents should be responsible but i think that he should keep that kind of scientific equipment in a safe place Kids are kids i remember one time when i was 7 yrs i put a towel around my neck thinking i was superman and got on the roof my neighbors starting yelling when i finally came down my mom kiss me and then gave me a spanking

It was a scam, the story does not make since. Why did the kid have his toys with him in the attic?

I'm glad the little boy is safe, but can somone please tell me whey these children weren't in school?

Oh please! "We did this for the show...!" Obviously this was prepared by the father. Look at the mother when asking the child, shaking her head indicating to the child what to answer. Then listen the father, he can hear all larry's questions except when he ask the father to ask his child what did he means with that answer. This is just the beggining of the real show...! Parents should go to jail for use state resources for something that was totally planned and fake!

cannot believe that a six year old child would hide in attic for that period of time as a grandmother i can tell you he was promised something pretty great to stay in a box for that lenght of time, if i am wrong he needs his little butt cut for not coming when he was called but if i am right dad probably put him up to this for publicity bad bad dad we already know who you are because of wife swap dont teach your child to think he needs to be in the public eye just teach him right from wrong thats a tuff enough job today

Keep giving them the tv time they so desperately want and next time they may really launch one of their children up in a balloon or a homemade rocket.
Just watch the two episodes of "Wife Swap" and it will leave no doubt about the stability of these parents and if they would do something like this or publicity!

Looks like someone needs an ass whippin.

What a hoax!!! The minute I heard the story I figured the boy was in the house.

Apparently nobody has seen the first episode of wife swap this family was on. This dad is crazy and only cares about weather. Who in their right mind drives their kids around chasing tornadoes? No doubt this is a publicity stunt. If for some reason it isn't, I can see why the boy was hiding from his overly loud and controlling father.

I have a 5 year old son and all I could think was him in that balloon. I felt the terror that this could be my son. When that balloon landed and saw he was not in there and later to see he was hiding in the attic I was so happy. Boys get into stuff like this, not giving n excuse to the parents or the boy, but I'm sure all the attention is punishment enough.

Just very glad to hear and see this one ends with a happy ending.

Are they that busy to not to notice, that one of their kids is missing. Watch your kids people. Wheres CPS for this one?

I don't understand why nothing is being mentioned about what was said on Larry King last night. This should be pretty major. Right?

When my little sister was missing, the police were walking up and down the canal behind our house. Neighbors were out looking for her. We were all terrified until someone finally found her hiding behind a chair IN THE HOUSE. I sympathize with the family!

Another thought just crossed my mind. I know if this had happened to my child, I'd be so emotionally and physically drained after the whole ordeal, I'd not want to be in the public spotlight at all, nor put my kids through anything more, yet in this case, the family appears on late night with Larry King, then this morning Live on NBC's Today Show. Obviously making the live talk show circuit. Sad to think the family (or father) is going to profit from this after all the counties have used lots of resources, manpower to investigate this, not to mention all the people throughout the U.S. who prayed for a good ending to what seems to be nothing more than a stunt. The Little boy pretty much said it all, "it was for the show". I think any money the family recieves for appearing on live talk shows, should go directly to the counties involved to help cover their expenses.

It was one of those stories that caused Suspension of Belief immediately, like a good Summer Blockbuster. Apparently no one did the math - a helium-filled mylar balloon of that size wouldn't have lifted the boy much higher than the rooftops before starting to drift back towards the ground.

How does a 6 year old little boy have access to a Helium Balloon?
This was not a typical shaped balloon, it looked threatening as if it were a UFO in my opinion. The father on a TV show, a meteorologist? The kid admitted it was a hoax. Claiming the kid was on board was to alert the media as it did. The dad, the kid, the balloon, ... the whole 9 was a publicity stunt to gain daddy national recognition as the "balloon dad" as you named him. I think he's looking for a job. Maybe CNN will hire him now that they feel sorry for him and his kid. Whats the cost of starting up a Blackhawk helicopter, and alerting the National guard to a possible terrorist attack via a flying saucer? Robin's bright red dress and black belt is what got my attention anyway. Scrap the balloon story, but always keep Robin as a part of my morning!

Bad Parenting !!!

It was crazy to think that a little boy,
was in that balloon.
My heart was in my throt for 2hours.
Really glad the way it turn out.
And no one was hurt .

Why weren't these kids in school?

Yo little Balloon Boy,
I'ma happy for ya and I'ma let you finish, but Captain Sully had a better landing than you! haha

I think this whole thing is a hoax

When I was 5 I was playing with a book of matches in the back yard by the woods the book caught on fire so I dropped the matches that caused leaves to ignite and I got scared and ran into the house and hid under my bed. I knew I was going to be in big trouble.
Suddenly there were fire trucks and people were out looking for me in the woods that was quickly becoming a big fire. After what seemed like hours later, my aunt found me underneath my bed. I didn't get into much trouble because everybody was so happy that I was alive and safe.

I LOVE baloon boy. People who are complaining about waisting tax payuers money: Lighten up & Live. S__t happens, lots of it if you have kids. I can think of alot of things that our money is wasted on. This was worth my tax money.

Just one question.............how the heck did the kid get in the attack?

I just feel bad for all those police officers that tag along during a situation like this that were denied there daily doughnuts and cheeseburgers!

Considering the balloon fiasco, the reality show, and the music video...it certainly appears as though these parents have set NO boundaries for these children. It's not believable that Falcon would feel the need to "hide from his father".

My son disappeared while my mother was babysitting. He was four. I rushed home from work and we searched the house several times. The neighborhood mobilized to help, the rescue squad was on the way, and we were calling every school that had a bus by our house. It was almost two hours since the initial call when my son popped out and said, "Voila!" He had been hiding behind a boot-box under the bed and listening to all the excitment. Our adrenaline seeped away and we couldn't even scold him for a while.

It is evident that this Dad is faking the "funk," watch the body language! The hug after the return seems unreal, since the child does not automatically grab the Dad in return. There is definite a parental issue, here! The Larry King remarks tells there is more to this story... I think the child(ren) need to be interviewed without his parents!

All that glitters is not gold, and this balloon story should have a silver lining for getting to the underlying issues in this home, and help this family!

We should all just be happy that the boy is safe. Plus CNN and the other news networks should be happy this raised your viewers and added excitement to a dull news day. I'm sure all of these news networks hoped the boy had fallen out so they could keep the viewers locked in for another 20+hrs. seriously wake up America this balloon is the least of this countrys worrys.

If the incident isn't a hoax, a child who hides in a box for hours fears more than just a verbal scolding from his father.

Police and authorities need to pay attention here...hopefully doing a better job than law enforcement did checking things out
at Garrido's house when Jaycee Dugard was missing all those years.

Debi
Norfolk, VA

That father was clearly lying through his teeth during that interview with Blitzer. Seriously. At the end? Watch that and tell me this wasn't a whole bunch of hooey.

Yesterday, my only concern was for the missing child–what a tragic thought of him possibly falling from the craft. Watching updated newscast, now I'm thinking this whole thing was fabricated by the parents to showcase their "newest invention" on national television for free!!! Just so thankful no one was actually injured!

Hmm, my comment never posted. What, don't like anything critical of the narrative your intent on pushing? The dad is an attention seeker. He was clearly lying in that interview but that wouldn't be good for the human interest angle, would it?

Ok, you can "moderate" this post now and delete it. Pathetic.

CNN needs to stop romancing this story, it originally played out the way Balloon boy's family planned, but Falcon spilled the beans on his Parents plan for a future reality show. You need to expose these media hogs for what they really are and how much they cost the Tax Payers.
This was clearly a staged event and they should be responsible for all the expenses and this story should be dropped so they never profit from Book, TV, or Movies deals from this stunt.
Margarita, Tampa Fl.

Get real .... The fame seeking balloon family totally took us all for a ride. Too bad for Dad that Falcon could not remember his lines. I admit I was taken in until I saw the family on Larry King Live ... This was a hoax. Tested our emergency response systems, for a bargain price of ...what did they estimate ... $28,000? The parents should pick up the tab for all that exposure......for the show!

I think Dad is publicity crazy. Don't give hjm what he wants!! I'm glad the kid is alright. Should child protective services check out this family if they deliberately put their children in the paths of tornados.

An OBVIOUS Publicity Stunt! Look at the facts:
A) Consider the Source: These folks were on Wfe-Swap – TWICE!
B) The father's first call was to the FAA (they had to tell him to call 911)
C) His first concern was that 'an airplane may collide with the balloon; and oh, my son was in the balloon!

And the media is merely fanning the flames of the hype!

Robin,

ANYONE with any knowledge of ballons or the understanding of flight dynamics laughed at the media's coverage of the balloon incident. As the balloon was tossed around in the prevailing winds, it was CLEARLY evident that NO ONE was in the balloon. Continuous coverage was just over the top.

Leo Mora

Wasn't it the big brother who said he saw the little brother get into the balloon? Why aren't we hearing more from him now?! Seems to me, he's the one in trouble here (along with his parents).

I am very happy that the little boy is safe but I also think the parents had something to do with this to get the media attention. If they can prove it they, the parents, should be responsible for all costs involved !

I am torn between believing the family and not believing the family.. The two kids were on the roof with a camera according to reports.. So maybe the boy meant the kids were gonna make their own show.. but when I look at the dad,, he cries but I dont see tears.and he is always looking down.. and he was very evasive about asking the boy why he did it.on Larry King...the mom says nothing.. the kids sit without a word.. they seem like they were told to not open their mouths about the whole thing to me. If it was my child I'd be like WHY DID YOU DO THAT?? with no hesitation asking the question..

Why hasn't anyone asked the parents of the balloon boy why their sons weren't in school yesterday morning? If they were in school, none of this would have happened!

I am now scratching my head while my heart is still racing about the whole thing. Yesterday I thought how lucky they were for the wonderful weather conditions, today I am thinking, or was it convienent . So thankful the boy is safe.

I saw the "Baloon Boy" family this morning and thought OMG this is the same family I just saw on "Wife Swap"! These parents are irresponsible and their children are going to get seriously injured ...it's just a matter of time!

i love to watch morning express every morning. Too much has been made of the little boy and the baloon and he needs grounded . Also does Robin have a stylist to help with her wardrobe? I hope so. We all need help sometimes in this area. A great show.

I feel that the whole balloon boy story was just a dysfunctional family trying to gain media attention. The child is obviously being used for media attention; he looked totally uncomfortable to be on camera, and even got sick! What type of parents would subject their child to such stress? Also, why did they have a big balloon, and why weren't they watching this child?
This whole stroy angers and saddens me to think that American families are so irresponsible.

Robin, Let us focus no longer on the unruly Colorqdo child and focus on our downed F-15 and missing servicemember.

I don't believe this story is legitimate for a second. After finding out that the family has already been on reality TV and the boy's comment about doing it for "the show", I'm disgusted that this family would do something like this in an effort to become famous like Jon, Kate plus 8. Did anyone else think the father's compassionate reaction was mediocre acting?

I think this family is highly infuenced by the father who will do anything for attention and if it includes putting his wife and kids up to creating a publicity stunt for a week of media attention and hopefully an apperance on The Oprah Winfrey Show and a possible book deal in the end, then so be it. If 6yr old Falcon was asked anymore questions he would have shown the world how much of a liar his dad really was. If you watch the interview with Wolf Blitzer the kids was removed right after Falcon told the Truth and then they came back shortly after but the good old dad had to regain focus on his prepared dramatic performance.No more attention should be brought to this family and lets wait to see where their next adventure takes them. Shame, Shame ,Shame!!!

I said it yesterday and now I have the child confirming it on Larry King. The father is a crazy. I can't believe that reality T V is now made news by a father that should be at least fined for the emergency departments and flight paths that were disturbed. Thank God the child is ok!

Hasn't anyone else really looked at your footage of Heene in his backyard at the moment the ballon took-off.... He was within a few feet of the slow moving ballon. With two (2) tied-down lines hanging from the ballon, he made NO effrot to grab the balloon, to grab either of the tied-down lines, climb-up onto the balloon's pedestal – but instead had a temper tantrum... allowing the balloon to leave the backyard. What do you know, it happened to be video taped too. Hoax !! Attention starved, dicipline absent, fame-hungry family !

Robin, Let us focus no longer on the unruly Colorado child and focus on our downed F-15 and missing servicemember.

I watched the episode of Wife Swap. Those kids are out of control. If anything would have happened it would have been the parents fault. Im glad he is safe but his parents need to get some control on their kids.

My heart was in my throat also while watching the balloon with what we all thought was carrying 6 year old falcon heeney. Now that we find out he is safe, who pays the bill?? Well let's have dad pay the bill since we now know it was a HOAX. THANKS DAD.

At first i did think it was a publicity stunt. But after my husband realized they were the same couple on Wife Swap. I knew then the boy probably was hiding from this angry man and the dangerous work his whole family does(storm chasers) no telling why the balloon was released and that doesn't matter. Someone needs to see if these kids are indeed safe. Thank goodness this little one was safe.

Susan
Louisiana

we seem to be living in a world today where everyone wants their 5 minutes of fame on tv and everyone wants to find a way to get rich with little effort and this family being invited on all these tv shows after this stunt is just fueling their desire for both.

dear robin, the question in my mind is this, the father who built the balloon knows if it had a compartment capible of holding a passenger right? it is preposterous to think he was in there.

You certainly put the nice comments on the show. If this family is not thoroughly investigated for spousal and child abuse there is a problem. I watched the boys video on you-tube and it was disgusting, done with the encouragement of the parents I am sure. There are just too many things not right in that sit\uation. The father looked like he was bearly holding it together on Larry King, as in nervous not upset. I think little Falcon spiled the beans. I was also wondering if the boy was hiding in the attic how he happened to have toys up there to play with????
Could go on and on but please someone investigate Mr. Heene he is very odd.

Has anyone done the physics on whether or not the lifting capability of this balloon could even carry off a six year old?

robin, will the city ,county,or the state try to recoup some of the tax dollars that were used ?? I think the family should have to pay back something even if its just 300 community service hours for all of them since they like to do so much together.. Steve

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY I AM SO HAPPY FALCON IS O.K. AND SAFE.I WATCHED PART OF THE WIFE SWAP PRIOR TO THIS AND I TURNED IT OFF AS I WAS DEVISTATED TO SEE THE WAY THERE WAS NO FEAR IN THAT FAMILY, I CAN UNDERSTAND PARENTS WANTING TO ENJOY QUALITY TIME WITH THERE KIDS,BUT SHOW THEM THE DANGERS NOT JUST HOW FUN IT CAN BE.AGAIN I AM HAPPY HE IS FINE.

We all got Punked!

After watching a floating helium balloon for two hours, I was upset to understand that a box or basket was supposed to hold the boy under the balloon. Well, it wasn't there for the two hours and the parents must have been watching the TV chase too! Why didn't they tell authorities that the 'gondola' portion of the balloon wasn't there for two hours? And suddenly the boy is 'discovered' in the garage attic ? No way! We got PUNKED! This was a stunt.

I would say that was a big publicity stunt and they should be held accountable and pay for all of the agencies that were involved.

This is more offending than the Casey Anthony murder case. How much do you want to bet the flight of that balloon was staged? If these people have been on the mainstream before, it's obvious they are just looking for more spotlight. Did you hear what that little boy said on Larry King? "we did it for the show". "WE"? Who's we? Where were the parents when this went down? Why isn't the FBI getting involved? This is just as severe as 9/11. Look kid, if you want to make some really good spotlight, just blow your brains out.

I think this whole thing was a publicity stunt for this family. They are nothing but attention seekers who were trying to get on tv again after Wife Swap. It's a shame they had to involve their son just to get an additional 15 minutes of fame.

Does anyone else think this was all a publicity stunt? I mean you can't buy advertising like this, say if you wanted to promote yourself, your inventions, or an idea for a reality show – 3 cute kids and a mad scientist dad. The list could go on. Besides, people seem to exploit their kids for personal gain all the time these days. The parents certainly seem to be publicity hounds. Besides, physics would indicate the small size of this balloon would not have lifted this child off the ground.

The latest coverage clearly seems to prove this was just a hoax on the part of the parents (most likely the father) to draw attention to himself. I believe the young boy "slipped" up and said on live TV that I they were just putting on a show. this morning on another major TV morning show, the father almost seemed like he was disoriented and definitely there was a problem with his communicating with the TV host. The family should absolutely be responsible for a major part of the cost of the resources and mainpower that was used. If not for any other reason than his having built this heluim balloon is not patened and illegal. It is sad that this young man will have concept of right and wrong.

Has anyone really looked at this balloon and figured how he was supposed to get in. It looked totally closed in at the bottom, sides and top with the mylar. There was NO basket. if the basket fell off, the child would have fallen out also. I hope these jerks don't get away with this. It was definitely a hoax in my warped mind!

Glad the boy is safe. Why did the parents undo the ropes that let the balloon take off. They was standing right there and who took the video of the lift off?

I am not a mother but when I saw this on the television I couldn't even watch it. If you think about it, the parents were testing this thing, would you not make sure all your kids are not near it in case something would go wrong??? I mean come on and to be storm chasers with your children to??? Do these parents even love their children??? This is just a publicity stunt, cause they been on wife swap twice and they are all over you tube and they did this.....They should have to pay a big price for this!!!!

I watched the whole thing and couldn't figure out where the boy could possibly be in that thing. Then after I heard that they were on Wife Swap I remembered them and how they didn't discipline the boys at all and got to thinking that the boy was hidding somewhere at home. They were out of control kids on the show.

David Chartier needs to learn how to spell. I hope he is not a college graduate working in human services! YIKES! lf we loose someone, we would end up loosing our jobs? Feild?

I think this was a stunt for publicity. If this balloon was filled with helium, how in the world did it not get out when the boy got in? Did the Dad actually think the boy could be in there without the balloon disinflating when the supposed balloon base door would open? Maybe we need to ask the Dad how did he inflated the balloon. How did he seal it so that the helium doesn't get out. It doesn't make sense to me.

If there was a basket for the Dad to get into to inflate the balloon & it was not on it during its flight, why did he allow all the rescue to go on? It sounded to me like there was no way to enter the balloon as we saw it on TV. Sounds fishy to me.

The family are stormchasers, yet the father is in his office when the balloon lands. He believes his son is a balloon flying around and he isn't chasing after it. It's almost as if he wasn't really worried his son was in danger. Hmm...HOAX!

When they interviewed the mother, she NEVER looked at the camera. Afraid someone might tell she was lying?

The way I see it .... these people should pay a hefty price for this publicity stunt. As if they haven't had enough publicity already being on wife swap twice. And chasing storms with the children! What kind of idiots are these people??? I have two boys and would never under any circumstances risk them for a storm. With all of the agencies that were involved ... they should pay for their services and a hefty fine!

I say leave the boy alone...his name is Falcon Heene for god's sakes...did you see his goofy parents? He has enough on his plate...

First let me say that Im sure we are all glad this boy is safe. However, I want to know why this 6 yr boy or his parents arent being held accountable for their actions. I have seen the father apologize for yelling at him. Why?? Father stated the brother had seen him crawl inside (and he didnt see him crawl out and go into the garage and go into the attic? They were all playing outside). One last question, obviously this baloon was teathered at more than 1 point. Who untied them all? Alot of resources were used in this 2 hour period, including considering military. Someone needs to be held accountable. The kids have alot of explaining to do and restrictions need to be in place.

How sad, that our society has come to the point that so many people automatically assume that others are out to trick, manipulate, or take advantage of them. Oh, I know it happens all too often, but this story seems to highlight that so many have such a negative and suspicious view of others. Without any evidence at all so many immediately made accusations that this was a hoax, a publicity stunt. How sad.

I watched the interview last night on Larry King Live and I ask people to note that Falcon could not hear the interview. The father was asked to relay the question to Falcon and the question was not clear if you had not heard the rest of the conversation. Children live in the moment and I don't think the little boy was thinking back to the earlier time in the day. Re-listen to the interview and only listen to what the little boy heard (and he didn't really appear to be paying attention to much of anything) which I think is pretty typical. I agree with the Father that these conspiracy theorists are pretty lame – the police and detectives that were there said it was real.

I think this was a publicity stunt. How in the world would a kid crawl in a balloon without it disinflating when the base door would open? The helium should of came out as soon as the kid crawled in. Besides inhaling that much helium would of made this child pass out. It doesn't make sense. Maybe the media need to ask how did he inflat the balloon? Did he really think it was possible?

Check out the video on The Weather Channel. It shows the father releasing the balloon and then getting pretty upset when he realizes the tether is not secured. Hmm...With his history, it looks like he might have panicked when the balloon got away and, well, you draw your own conclusions.

The boy said he was playing with his toys and NAPPING in the loft in the garage????..... With all of the comotion of police cars, scanner-radios, people and media all in and around the house during yesterday's emergency, there is NO WAY a 6 year old boy wouldn't hear the abundant activiity and come looking to investigate. I beleive he was told to stay in the loft.

He admitted on Larry King that he did it for the show..... There hasn't been a Wife Swap camera crew in the house for a long time.... Why would the 6 year old possibly think there was a show in progress – unless his parents told him this "stunt" was going to be for a show.

Hoax !!

the way every one is talkin about it like its a big deal dont get me rong it is the little boy could of been in the bloon but i thank this is what they family wanted....and how come the family did not look in the house first?????

IT WAS A STUNT!!! CHILDREN CAN'T LIE.

In reference to the Colorado "mad scientist". Hopefully there are some parental neglect laws that this idiot can be charged with. Who in their right mind would leave children unsupervised anywhere near the potential danger his bazaar project presented? Also, hopefully he will be charged the cost of the expensive rescue efforts. I hope the "Child Protective Services" (or whatever Colorado's version is) does a thorough investigation.

I was visiting my friend Nancy in Ann Arbor and after hearing about the boy in the balloon incident on the internet we turned on the news and watched the whole thing unfold. About 30 minutes into watching it ( around 4:30 est) I yelled at the tv, "Check the garage, he's in the garage!!" By 5:30 they all had him dead. What a story!!

I hope they don't get away with this. It definitely appears to be a hoax. The child looked like he had been coached. The look on the Mom & Dad's faces when he answered, we did it for the show, was strange.

WHY IS EVERYONE CONTINUING TO "FEEL" FOR THE PARENTS?
This was a stunt, as the young boy stated on national television! The parents need to suffer charges, as they wasted so much time and efforts of others. What will this family do next to make it on television?
May not be a bad idea to look at these parents i bit more!

Cheri in Wisconsin

I believe these people just wanted to get publicity and they got it. The little boy was never in danger to begin with and his brother's false testimony of seeing that little boy get in the balloon is suspicious. These people should be prosecuted with the full power of the law.

SIGH!!! Another media created event. Four HOURS yesterday, CNN blathered on and on and on – spreading 3 minutes of news across every hour with breathless, uninformed ponderings about the balloon. Just a few minutes of math would have told you that thing could not have taken off with a 50 pound kid on it. My first impression upon hearing the story (and many others) was that the kid was hiding. A short conversation with the father could have easily cleared up that the ballon/basket would not have supported the weight either without tearing itself apart. I don't know what role the parents may have played or not in this fiaasco but I do know "media" is responsible for blowing it out of proportion primarily so they could glue people to the TV for hours.

Thanks Balloon Boy! I did not have to watch the economy or the politicians on the news for two hours! Glad your alive. Lee of N.C.

The story/stunt, whatever it is, though was disturbing, what actually irritates me is the fact that people still are spending so much time on it on the news!!! All I see every 2 mins, is the story repeated and seems to give so much importance to it !! It's no longer news !

One big question that nobody seems to be asking...Why were these kids not in school? There's something weird with this family.

What a great story! I was scared to death for that child. Thank God Falcon is safe. And thank you, CNN, for providing non-stop coverage. Who else does that?

Whether this was a hoax or not, the real hoax in this whole ordeal is the way this so called "child expert" who appeared in CNN, was quick to render public judgement and suggested that law enforcement should press charges and take all the children in state custody.

By rendering judgement (especially in national TV) about a matter before the facts were fully disclosed his incompetence became self-evident to the nation.

The real child experts were all the parents who suggested that the child was probably hiding somewhere in the house.

I am so glad the little boy is ok. I know his parents were overjoyed when he came out of his hiding place. I know they wanted to hug him and yell at him all at the same time. I think its a wonderful story. Reminds me of being a kid again

These children are obviously distressed with what happened, either way, hoax or no hoax. The media is a part of what could be called emotional child abuse, putting these 3 kids on international tv and grilling them and their parents for hours. The little boy was so upset he threw up twice. The media is complicit in hurting these kids with all this attention and the accusations. If it was a hoax, the parents are being rewarded for negative attention getting behavior by the media. Once the boy was found safe and there were questions about it being a stunt, the cameras should have stopped rolling and law enforcement and social services should've taken over – not Wolf Blitzer and friends. This is a ridiculous story to have occupied prime time news for hours!!

This is a Hoax !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could wrong.
Police need to set up that balloon again
and see if theres a access door. If theses
no door the guys exposed. Watching him
this morning there was no tears at all.
I saw an acter in action. He's been on
wife swap and how got on there was
his swava. DO ANYBODY AGREE !!!!!

If any other parents kept their child hostage for 6 hrs. in a cardboard box with no bathroom facilities, food or water they would pay they consequences. Food for thought... If this is true, shame on them.

Agree totally with Cathleen and the others who believe this was a fake. The father is a piece of work and should be charged.

I believe that the boy could have remained hidden for hours as I myself did such a thing as a child.I had broken a musical instrument of my dad then.But what is surprising is that why didn't anyone search the whole house thoroughly, this shows a lack of logic in the process of recovering the missing boy!

ENOUGH!!

Shouldn't CNN take responsibility for overkilling this story.

In doing so, you've left this poor family with all the awful aftermath.

It seems CNN is the attention-getters here.

Your ratings have never been higher.

I'm glad the boy is safe but I think its ridiculous that the media is so obsessed with this story. There are more important issues to cover around the world, like Afghanistan or healtcare. Why don't you guys focus a little more on those real issues?

Is it that slow of a news day that something that didn't happen warrants continual re-broadcast? Maybe it was a publicity stunt by the parents but HLN is certainly falling all over it. Cut the garbage and get to some real reporting.

My question is .... why were these children not in school? It's a happy ending that he was ok.

your viewers are smarter than your producers!! Most of them realize this was a costly publicity stunt you shouldn't be giving air time to. I am very close to giving up morning news shows! There is no balanced analysis and precious little important news, talk about the "dumbing down" of America!!!

First of all... Thank God the little Boy is safe,, But It appears to me the Family likes Drama... Therefore, they should be not different than the "Run-away Bride: ... The parents should be held accountable to pay back some of the cost of this Drama. I'm sure it cost a lot of Manpower for this. AND... HOW could you not know where your 6 year old is for 4 hours??? Was this for 15 minutes of fame???

what is the difference between leaving a hot air balloon where a child can get in it , and leaving a loaded gun where they can get to it !!!!

Why would a father or a mother for that matter allow a 6 year old boy to be involved in an experiment with such risks? Should the father not be arrested on charges of child endangerment?? the balloon was not approved by the FFA or any Goverment offices it was the fathers selfish reasons to put his child in danger.. I believe the father should be arrested and the mother charged as an accessory! Shameless!!!

In my opinion the Larry King live interview was all the evidence we needed to determine that this was an attempt for media coverage. It really felt like the boys were incouraged to lie. His attempt to recover from the boys statement seemed desperate. I would not be suprised if the police investigation ends in charges or fines.

As CNN increasingly becomes a caricature of the announcers on the old movie "Death Race 2000", I really wish that the bobble heads would give us the actual NEWS. Relying on the comments of un-informed bloggers as a NEWS source is unprofessional and terribly sad. Please let Ted Turner re-acquire the network. At least there was some, informed and researched information presented when he was in charge.

MSNBC has video of the father releasing the balloon w/ the whole
family watching!!! IT WAS A HOAX!!! He's gonna need a good lawyer.

I and my family were glued to this story for atleast 3.5 hours and are very happy the boy was ok.However,after more investigating and interviews we could not help feeling used as our emotions were taken higher than the balloon! This father staged the whole ordeal to get attention and possibly got more than he asked for.He will soon realize that kids are easily convinced in the moment but as time goes by they tell the hidden truth.Daddy will have to pay for this episode!!

This was a total con.. These people are a fraud and they need to pay the costs for the search... I just don't believe the kid hid for two hours in a box while all this was going on. A kids attention span is not that long . OTOH. Goofs are not more guilty just because they do not fit in. but this is beyond the pale. My parents would have tanned my but. I simply do not believe it.

morning robin,

from the very start i felt something strange about this story and now i am sure that this was a hoax. there was never a basket attached to the bottom of that balloon. to think of the time and resources use for this hoax angers me. when proven i hope the parents are put in jail and those kids taken away from them.

What's up with the selective choices of comments making it on air? Probably 95% of people who watched the Larry King (Wolf Blitzer) interview believe this was a hoax perpetrated by the parents. So why are you rarely showing those and showing the "oh, I'm so glad he's ok", comments. I mean, obviously we're all glad the kid is ok but let's not gloss over the hoax angle. This stunt cost time and money and if they made it all up it should not be ignored. I don't understand the media's habit of presenting something in equal parts, even when it would be heavily lopsided in reality. If someone came back and said the world was flat and the rest of the world new it was round the media would have the one guy that insists it's flat and one guy who insists that it's round and call that balance.

This family has been seeking public attention through shameless self-promotion for years... of course I'm glad the kid is safe, but c'mon! Doesn't anybody else see a pattern here? I sure hope I'm wrong, because if I'm right... what a waste of public resources, spent looking for that kid, and a waste of our time (and emotions) worrying about it. Not to mention what the parents are now putting their son through, with all those interviews. How many times did he throw up today?

Dear CNN:

You have been punk'd. This was a hoax that you covered as though it were real. Please hire some reporters that actually check their facts.

I spent my day yesterday praying and calling people for a massive prayer for the safety of this little boy.I even wrote a letter to the Greek News.
It was horrified. I now feel silly for calling all these people,but not sorry.
I watched Larry King show last night too,and new that was something fishing to the whole thing.
Silly yes, but not sorry,because it saws that we are all humans and stop disagree and remeber to pray,and saw that we all care.

It is great that the child was safe; no matter the circumstance, but the family should be responsible fo the costs incurred for the rescue.

I believe the entire drummer was staged. My question is, how could the child had entered the ballon? There was no compartment to carry a passenger. It seemed obvious, while the balloon was on the ground, that there was no apparatus connected to the ballon, where the child could have entered.
The entire expense of search and recovery, should be charged to the family. Maybe im wrong, but from every video I saw, of the balloon, I still cannot see any place where a child could have entered.

This family is desperate for media attention. After the YouTube video showed the parents present when the ballon took off, the police should continue to investigate. Yes, I think the family should pay the cost for law enforcement to follow this.

I could not believe the coverage of the balloon boy....... As soon as I saw that balloon I did a little math.... And started laughing ))

To lift a 50 pound boy would take 27,300 litters of Helium just to make 50 pounds buoyant let alone take it to 7,000 feet... That would be about 1,600 regular size balloons or one balloon about 4 times the size of that one...

The father is a science geek, he knew the boy was not in the balloon!!! The media, rescue personnel, and the National Guard should of known better too... I find it hard to believe no one did the math!!!! HELLO!!!

I am not surprised that this is a hoax orchestrated by the family. Just observe the son sitting next to his mother and his reaction to the fathers comments. These parents are teaching their children to lie?

Wolfe Blitzer asked a question that should have been asked, at this juncture, by the authorities. In the rush to be first, "for the show," the journalists who have been questioning this child so immediately after the event have now corrupted any responses the authorities may ever get from him. All his experiences of the whole day are colored by what all the people around him have said about it, both to him and around him. How many of your own childhood memories and impressions are not your own, but those told to you by others? Anything anyone gets from this child now is suspect, because of the barrage of questions and comments he has heard, and the high emotion of the people allowed around him. Why do journalists think they have the right to "hear it first here" when delicate psyches of children, and the primary rights of the law, are involved? No one will ever know the truth now.

The balloon boy saying "we did it for a show" and then getting sick – both on LIVE TV- was it a misunderstanding, bad luck, or Karma inflicting pay-back on Mr. Heeley for his ego problem.

The boy's comment could have meant anything. My kids say some mixed up things that would make people think - WHAT? – until given a chance to further explain. Therefore I was with Mr. Heeley thinking it was just a misunderstanding.... until this morning.

The demeanor of everyone on the morning show spoke volumes, and then the boy getting sick, well that just sealed it that the dad is GUILTY of narccisism. If the child was just sick, why force him to go on TV? And, why do they have to do everything their dad is into? To me, the boy wasn't sick but showed us what the the physical effects are of an emotionally abused child. The dad didn't even want to pause for his sick son!

He says they have no motive for staging the event, so why do so many interviews? Mr. Heeley just he can't admit to his own narcissism.

Also, I heard something crazy about Storm chasing? If so, isn't that more like: Endangering the welfare of a child?!

Hi Robin, I watch your show daily and I would like to make a comment regarding the Boy in the Balloon. I watched that piece thoroughly wondering if that child would live or die. I am so completely grateful that the child was safe. My wonder is this, the reports stated that the older brother had said he saw the younger child climb inside, was that truthful on the older boys part, or as the younger child stated, was it all for show? But very grateful that the child was safe and at home all the time.

Keep up the great job.

A total HOAX. Observe the expressions on the faces of the other two boys when the six-year old tells the interviewer that the parents had said that they would get a show out of it. This child did not make it up. Mission had been accomplished when all of the media had shown up. The two boys looked directly into the face of the father more in disbelief that the youngest had told something that should have remained a secret. That is why the father became so alarmed and stated that the interview was going in a direction he did not like. Face it, the child had spilled the beans. All parents know that it is always unpredictable as to what a six-year old will say. He was excited. They exploited the child, authorities and the public in order to get a show. Shame, Shame, Shame!!! You've been revealed.

What I am sure the world wants to know is- how did their 6 yr. old son get into the attic? I did roofing work for 6+ years, and to get into somebodies attic, either took alot of muscle, because you had to pull a ladder down from the ceiling, or you had to remove the cover into the ceiling, to which then you had to put a ladder up to the attic. So how does a 6 year old get up to the attic? Was he put there on purpose? What about all the people that put their time, life, and energy into looking for this child? Thank-you all, for all that you have done!! After all of this- why is their son so afraid of his parents, that "he had to hide from them"? Glad he is alright, hope you got what you were looking for-attention getters!

Obviously a stunt. Parents said they were inside at time of launch. film of launch shows father outside.

I just want to know why the kids were not in school yesterday (Thursday). Do these people always keep there children home on a weekday? Just curious??????

These parents should be arrested for filing a false report and be billed for the costs incurred by law enforcement. What a waste of taxpayer's dollars!

Come on people! This could have ended long ago. Didn't anyone notice that the balloon could not possibly lift the weight of a 6 year old boy. These people are just media hounds and should have charges brought against them for involving so many assets in a rescue attempt.

Since I heard about this story, the ballon landed empty without the boy and the boy was found in the attic, I always thought suspiciously about the parents. For me this sound like a sort of SCAM!!! made up to be famous the parents and the ballon invention product. When the kid was interview she clearly stated "you guys said we did this for the show", what better evidence to prosecute this case from the boy! I consider this couple should be bill for the cost of search for their kids from police, federal, state government agencies and be fine for fraud or maybe more because this was only done to obtained free marketing for the product and be fame for the ballon product. This behavior should not be tolerated at all...

Thanks,
Lys, MBA
Washington, DC

I was just watching HLN and there was a story about a fighter pilot missing in the Atlantic. Will this get the same attention as "Balloon Boy"? I doubt it. Headline News Network has forgotten what news is.
There is already a network for most of HLN's fare,it's called E Network!
That's where most of this drivel should be. The days of true journalism are gone.( Cronkite, Huntley/Brinkley,Brokaw) Now we're stuck with anchors that act like game show hosts. Intelligent folks like
myself like to see real news.

The dad got mad when the ballon got relased he is a former weather man he knew he was in trouble, faa,police ect. this not a hoax it is a COVERUP they pulled everyones heart strings by making up this story about the boys so as not to get in trouble.

How bogus was this whole "story"? The son said himself, in his blurry way, because of the show. That tells it all. Over and done. End of story. No news to report. A non issue. Has been from moment one. Quit grasping for straws, and give us Real news. I am shocked that the Gvmt. does not charge the father with their expenses in this truly stupid grandstanding.

parents say they were in the house video proves different I thought lying and providing false info to police was a FELONY . We live in coloradoand our understanding that law is still on the books........L.E westminster colorado

It seems like the press would be happier if the boy was in the balloon and had fallen out of it to his death. Why can't everyone just enjoy the fact that he is alive and had hid in the attic. You can tell that the press are clueless about children and those of the press that have children should spend more time with them. Little kids especially little boys are wirey and can climb almost anything. If the parents had planned this I believe the parents would have tried to steer people away from the garage where he was hiding. Also if planned the child would have had some kind of snack or something like that. It is so sad that no one looks at the big picture anymore. How come we aren't all happy for the family that they are not planning the child's funeral? Sad, Sad.

Someone please tell me what happen to accepting childhood pranks or childish attempts at anything when they go wrong.....
Kids will be kids, not knowing the consequences of thier actions; we've all been kids in the past(redundancy, pardon, please) and have done our own pranks.
This could have stayed closer to home, but now that media at large and constant looking for some sort of "punishment" not only on several network channels but even here locally public was asked by newscaster to blog in to what "you think should happen to the parents"? Talk about egging or co-ercing a continuance of media "sell". The boys safe kis are happy, parents are happy, no one got hurt.....leave it alone and go home.... next subject, please!!

I watched the live video of the balloon as it drifted across the Colorado plains and had serious doubts that anyone was aboard. Based on the dynamics of the “rock and roll” of the craft, it just did not look right. As the craft approached the ground it was readily apparent that the balloon’s volume was simply inadequate to lift much of a load. Surely, the self proclaimed “scientist” builder/father would have known this and could have quelled the fears of a nation as the “firghtened and helpless” boy’s fate played out.

Publicity stunt? Prank gone wrong? Only the Heene’s know for sure, but I hope the authorities figure it out and make the family pay, pay, pay (Oh, I forgot, they don't have jobs so how can they pay?).

This incident has been, from start to eventual finish, a complete fraud.

Has anyone considered that the family may have given the boy benydrly or some other form of sleeping medicine to help keep him quiet for that many hours. It just seems strange that a child that is so hyper could be quiet for this long. And this could explain why the child may have been sick the following day. I have had experience working in a facility where when children were out of control they were given benadryl to calm them. and they would sleep for a few hours.

These people should not have children! At very least , they are guilty of child endangerment for everyime they deliberately drive into a storm/tornado with those kids in the car. I think these parents should be made to pay all expenses incurred for this fiasco,because I believe it was staged by the parents to start with. They even stopped flights from Denver for hours. Child services need to oversee these children because the parents are incompetant at best. Finally, a real parent knows the difference between correction and abuse. If they don't believe in :grounding" or "yelling" then what do they consider correction? Let's look at these children 10 or 20 yrs from now. Bet you'll find them with police records!

Well if the investigaters cant see thru the real truth of this hoax. They need to find another line of work. The parents need to be charge for the endangerment of the welfare of a child. they need to pay for the for the search. The morals they teaching their children is scary and then we all wonder what is wrong with our society. feel free to email me. cyberaries@yahoo.com

If the father and family built the Baloon!
And it was said they did.

He knew also that there was no way the child
was with the baloon when it launched.

There was no external Basket attached or
a way attach one.

Also he had to know that there was no way
the boy could be inside the baloon with the Gas.

Breathing that gas ,"over an extended period of time,"
would have killed him within an Hour!

And Just now, I hear the Father is a weather Chaser!

Baloons have always been used in weather!

The Father has a history with Baloons.

@Ccr Charles

Did anyone notice on Larry King that the story went from kid hiding in the attic in a box to the kid hiding in the goroage in a box....kind of hard to remember the details in a lie.

All I can say is Mythbusters.. They lifted a 4yr old girl with ballons and it took around 3500 balloons and filled a warehouse. And the funny thing is they could only get her off the ground a few feet. When the balloon hit the ground yesterday and I seen the actual size of the thing, I knew there was no way the kid was inside. Of all the experts that spoke on helium to oxygen ratios and air density and temprature at certain heights NOBODY said this thing aint big enough to pick ole Falcon up. Oh well. I guess it will help boost the economy for a few hours. Should they charge them? NO. They dont have the funds to cover the bill and it will just take more funds to take them to court and drag this thing out forever with no good result.

Robin, you outdone yourself with the beautiful selection of clothes which you wore this week on "Morning Express" !!! We believe that it was on Wednesday that the color blush was breathtaking–this color works for you, girl–highlighting your gorgeous hair and sparkling eyes !!! Robin, you are the best-dressed anchor gal for the morning news !!! Now to the story stranger than fiction: the mystery balloon (unfortunately, our distinguished President Obama's first visit to New Orleans since his presidency began was overshadowed by this up-up-and-away fiasco !!! Our great nation needed to see and hear about the condition of the city of New Orleans four years after Hurricane Katrina's wrath and destruction . . . blighted neighborhoods still remain everywhere. In addition, the mentally unstable and homeless individuals' cries and pleas for help go unheard–with no solutions in sight for them ! This family, being Hurricane Katrina victims and survivors (who even lost elderly parents), can testify to the above ! We can only hope and pray that one of the officials accompanying President Obama on the trip took notes to discuss with him when back in Washington !! Sorry if we get sidetracked, but this subject still hits home for us every day !! As we watched the evening news detailing the "balloon boy", Falcon, and his family (Henne) discussing the day's events with CNN's Mr. Wolf Blitzer–who was hosting Larry King's Live show–we felt a bit uneasy then about the answers which were given ! Especially when we heard that this same family had been on the "Wife Swap" reality show ! Why did the little boy (yes, thank God that he is alive and safe) hide for so many hours when everyone was calling his name aloud? What really brought it all home for us was when the boy commented that "he had done it for the show ! ". When Mr. Blitzer posed this question to the father as to why this was the boy's answer . . . the father "danced" around the subject and then Mr. Henne quickly tried to blame both Mr. Blitzer and the media for some sort of harassment !!! That was the end of the interview; it left us feeling uncomfortable with the outcome of this day ! Our hearts go out to the mother, who seemed to be caught off guard with the situation–as it looked like the father was calling all of the shots ! As long as reality shows exist not portraying the real family life and values (such as the "Jon and Kate" three-ring circus) situations like this will continue to play out for all of America to keep asking for more! Hopefully, this is a quiet weekend–with no more strange sightings !!! Have a nice weekend, Robin; just remember: we love you, our Ohio girl !!! Robin's Follies !!!

All I want to know is who helped the boy up into the attic. I also need to know whats the rule when there is a run away plane, train, or ballon?

OMG... my head is spinning from having to endure the excruciatingly annoying coverage of "ballooon boy". This whole thing is just wrong on so many levels... but I digress. If that's not enough to have been thoroughly nausiated about, My LOCAL news made ME want to puke in MY father's lap... I spent about 20 minutes watching the local SW Georgia news to see coverage of a story about how a LA justice of the peace refused to marry an interacial couple. So much for justice of the PEACE. Then another local city in an absolute uproar with pitch forks; all over a girl who wore a tuxedo for her yearbook photo... you have got to be kidding me. Is this the 1800's? And finally a local county lobbying to be a "dry county" and limiting the availability of liquor publicly. Interviews with sweaty toothless men in bib overqalls quote, "If you have liquor, it belongs only one place. Home." OMG.... get me outa here! If that isn't enough, I work on a Marine Corps Base where someone recently sent a racially offensive mass e-mail about Barack Obama. It depicted our President's picture on a faux $10 foodstamp. It showed Barrak Obama's head on the body of a donkey surrounded by watermellon, a bucket of Kentucky fried chicken, the Kool Aid man, and a side of BBQ ribs. A formal EEO complaint was filed by a white Marine Corps officer. The only consequence was a letter of reprimand to the person who sent the e-mail, and the officer was abruptly moved to the warehouse. and retired. We are still in the 1950's... so much for change.

unfortunately i was one of the unlucky viewers to watch this bullshit unfold on live tv and the coverage of this event really saddens me taking it for what it was.

Why hasn't anyone raised the question: Was the balloon capable of carrying the 6 year old boy?

I was watching this on Fox News from the beginning (Sorry Robin) and didn't see a gondola at all. Then there was the footage of the balloon in the backyard that "accidentally got away". And guess what. You don't have to be that astute in your observations to see that there was no gondola attached to the balloon at all. I can't help but to laugh my (expletive) off when I see the father swear up and down that it was not a hoax. What an idiot!

I have to admit that I was one of those many of thousands of people on Thursday when all of the "Boy in the Balloon" stuff began and I followed it till the balloon landed and kept praying that that little boy would be okay.

And now we find out that it was all a hoax. The family should be completely and totally responsible for "ALL" the expenses accrued during the following and recovery of the balloon and the follow-up investigation that has revealed that it was all a hoax.

My concern again goes to the children that live in a home where a father and presumably mother could ever devise such a situation to gain publicity for themselves. What kind of parents are they and maybe social services should be looking into that families ability to properly care for their children in a way that will allow them to grow up and be honest caring young adults.

I believe that we are all very grateful (as Cathleen said) that "Falcon couldn't remember his lines". It is amazing how honest he was when he needed to be.

Just saw the press conference–looks like the family are not the only ones who enjoy the limelight–what a huge self-congratulatory celebration and manipulation of what they knew, and when and how they knew it, etc. Of course, they want the Feds to get involved to see if they can get more charges. If this was an intentional launch for attention, the family is getting exactly what they wanted. Just fine them instead of spending more tax dollars–money we don't have–to keep up the investigation and publicity. I'm sure there are more important cases we should focus on. Do they want enough charges to put the parents in jail? Then they could have social services assure that the kids are messed up permanently. Great plan–incarceration and foster care, all paid for by our tax dollars.

I always said from the beginning of this that it was a hoax. Here's why:
1. Something just didnt ring true about the relationship between the parents. The wife shows all the signs of spousal abuse!
2. At least one of the children has ADD or more likely ADHD. But no one has made this comment. Where is children and family services?
3. The dad is a bully (this was obvious BEFORE we saw the Wife Swap clips) to everyone he meets. Probably always has been and no one has tried to stop him from doing anything outrageous. Ever.
4. Authorities have not stepped into this FROM THE BEGINNING and demanded that the children be removed from the home, due to this stunt, which would have been the case if this had been anyone else that had not appeared on tv. Has this family been given preferrence by law because they KNEW the family had been on tv? Oh, and dont forget, law enforcement WAITED until two days AFTER Falcon had been found to question the family. Again, why? If it had been a non-tv personailty (or ex-personality as the case is) the family would have been split up and questioned immediately.
Why all the mis-steps in this case? If police had done their job PROPERLY, this hoax would have been treated like everyone else in the community and not given special treatment because they had been on tv. Was the police afraid of this family?

The balloon boy's family finally got what they want, being famous... famous for being stupid.

Gage Bosarge
11 year old
Biloxi, MS

I AM APPAULED AT THE ACTION OF THESE BOYS PARENTS TO INVOLVE THE ENTIRE US AND TO INVADE OUR HOMES WITH THE STRESS AND WORRY THAT I AM SURE MANY OF US EXPEIRENCED DURING THIS TYING TIME, WHERE AS WE WERE MADE TO BELIEVE THAT A LITTLE SIX YEAR OLD BOYS LIFE WAS AT STAKE IN THAT BALLOON. I MYSELF SAID A PRAYER THAT THIS LITTLE BOY WOULD BE SAFE AND RETURN HOME UNHARMED. THIS BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES AS I AM SURE IT DID MANY OTHERS ACROSS THE US. THESE PEOPLE ARE UNFIT TO RAISE CHILDREN. THEY ARE TEACHING DECEPTION TO THEIR CHILDREN AT A YOUNG AGE THAT WILL AFFECT THEM IN THEIR ADULT LIVES. THESE ACTIONS WERE OBIVIOUSLY TAKEN FOR MONITARY GAIN , WHICH IS SOMETHING THEY SHOULD NOT BE TEACHING THEIR CHILDREN. SHAME ON THEM. WHAT HAS THIS COST THE TAX PAYER, AND WHAT ARE THE COST FOR ALL THE SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS AND TV STATIONS THAT PAID THEIR EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR TIME SPENT ON THIS HOAX. THIS FAMILY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REIMBURSING ALL OF THIS EXENSE, PLUS JAIL TIME FOR SCAMING AND LYING TO THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES VIEWING AUDIENCE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO VOICE MY OPINION.

This is the story of yet another over-zealot Sheriff. Just another ego knocking, corrupt and power hungry Sheriff that is attempting to rewrite the circumstances of events simply to share the national lime-light with their victims. This Sheriff and other Sheriff's like him should be voted out of office or replaced with individuals that follow the rule of the law and enforce true and factual infringements on those laws.

After the balloon family spends countless dollars in defending themselves against this cracker-barrel Sheriff, at least this family can be reimbursed all of their legal fee's upon this case against them being either tossed out or dismissed by a jury.

This Sheriff seems to me to be entirely politically motivated to invent and pursue charges against this family.

I hope when this family is vindicated and these pseudo-charges are dismissed, this cracker barrel Sheriff is permanently removed from office.

A. Smith
Oregon

Reality show? Really? As if there aren't enough of them now! I applaud authorities and expect the family to be charged financially as well as criminally. Goes to show you, you can't trust a six year old with a secret! lol

Why does the media perpetuate stories like this. If the parents were out for publicity,you gave it to them. The police,now waisting time and money,going to prosecute.If you would have just reported that the kid was not in the ballon,and let the story die,no publicity,no criminal action,and the parents lose. Please move on.

I hate to say it but unfortunately from what I have been hearing this was a hoax. Unfortunately it cost alot to keep track of the balloon and filing a false police report is a crime and they might be charged with it. What kind of example are the parents setting for thier children by pulling this stunt. This could have more ramifications that are currently being seen now. What kind of effect will this action have on the childrens mental state and way of thinking. Could they end up thinking that if you want the attention you can do what ever you want? Or will they think they did nothing wrong and pull some thing like this when they have children of thier own in the future?

Robin,
I must have missed something from the beginning that I haven't heard yet.
This man built the Balloon so he knew there was no place for the boy to be on it!! NO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT!!! right?

On the bright side...the Heene family will not be charged
for all the PRAYERS

Please stop calling this kid "Balloon Boy", he should be remembered as" The Boy who Could Not Lie!!!

I think it is a shame that this balloon story continues to hold so much attention! This isn't FOX news, I would expect better from CNN and definitely from you Robin. This story has been on constantly while soldiers DYING in Iraq and Afghanistan are barely mentioned or not at all. We americans have very screwed up priorities!

All the news outlets keep calling this event as 'riveting the world's attention,' or something similar. This is ONLY because the cable media jumped on it like fleas on a dog and plastered it all over tv. Viewers watched because it was on. I didn't hear about it til later, when it was announced the child was safe, so I really didn't care that much about it, because it didn't affect me personally and there was nothing I could do about it. The only reason cable media continues to cover this is because they are embarassed they got 'punked' by both the family and the sherriff. Cue Ashton Kutcher!

As for the boy in the balloon, that was a poor attempt for 5 min. of fame. I feel the family should be required to pay back all city and state expenses having to do with this event. On top of that I believe they deserve what they get in court. Wasting taxpayers dollars and city time plus exploiting their own children like that tells me they only care about themselves. And just for a fun fact, they could have been better actors on the video tape.

They should be charged, somewhere in mom and dads pea brain, something is not functioning. Using a child for their personal gain (exploitation) and causing public panic? Both parents need spanked by a court of law.

How long did it take law enforcement to point out the obvious? The ballon would bever have lifted with the kid inside.

When I heard that he had appeared on a reality show then I began to think that this was a hoax. When I heard he was a Ireporter for CNN but, did not know there was a big fuss going on because he did not have cable about th is then I knew this was a hoax. Being an Ireporter myself it is clear he had access to the media and it's reaction.. Besides who ever heard of pitching a reality show to a network when you do nto have cable yourself. Make so sense.

We need to do more for our troops. It is a shame we are pissing away money that could go to our troops, police, teachers, and our EMT's, Fireman and the list goes on. We the people need to stand for this and make it happen. Thank you to the Troops, Thank you for keeping me safe, thank you for your heart, and Thank God for making you. Please support our troops. God Bless

The Balloon people are just that "Balloon headed Idiot's" anybody that has to get on TV that bad has a problem. They should work to pay all the money it cost, have to go to school that teaches how to be a good parent, and say they are sorry to all that was involved. Then do time if needed.

I am more shocked at your Nations' reaction to balloon boy. Your media propagates and encourages these ventures by showing the rewards to be had. First you will all be outraged, but then embrace and religously wathc the reality show to follow. Americans prostituing their children for thei own gain is a way of life. Here are just a few examples; John & Kate, Toddlera and Tiaras (more for pedophiles than anyone else), Octo-mom. Surely balloon boys bubble looks ready to burst, but the book, movie and reality show deal are surely in the works.
One other thing off topic, anyone with half a brain and came from a education system that isn't in the lower 30-40% globally could look at the size of the balloon in their backyard and realize it couldn't carry a small child. Surely some one at CNN could have put down thier tabloid and actually looked at the facts, as opposed to building the hype.

Anyone who induces false panic and playes on others emotions should be punished. It blows my mind that the parents would even involve their children in such a farce.

The same thing happened here in Key West. A performer jumped off Mallory pier in a straight jacket and never resurfaced. He was found in a motel later with his girlfriend. He had to pay back some $200,000 in Coast Guard and Law Enforcement expenses for the search, and faced criminal charges.

Mornin Robin and HLN crew... I read that the wheat field the balloon landed on was destroyed and the family relied on that crop – I feel the family should be paid for their loss!!!

Robin,
I was wondering about the expenses the balloon family incurred at DIA ?There were two hour flight delays because of the hoax!

RE: ballon boy
I felt it was a hoax from the beginning- why was someone filming the balloon flying away while the parents stand there screaming? I usually don't have someone grab a video camera when there is an emergency at my house. Also I wouldn't call a TV station before calling 911. The parents should be charged the estimated $30,000 in restitution as well as any criminal charges that apply. If they are charged criminally, then DSS should get involved- these parents are exploiting their children. The kid tells Wolfe Blitzer the truth, realizes his "mistake" and "hurls" on TV– that tells me maybe he thought his daddy was going to punish him when they got home......

If this family is charged with the biils or arrested i scream out ""RACISM"" yep What was the dollar amount when OJ took the entire world and all tv to do his 35mph suiside ride "That was a farce"
Racially this has not been said "why""? It was great tv "we did want to see him kill himself tho"? This was the most awesome tv Ive ever seen, it had drama,a storyline,undivided attention, and most of all a happy ending ""what is the kid did die""? I wish some judge some where would put a "Gag Order on this"" If so how would you fill you time on TV??" As for racial I am in the less than 1% range" " Im purbred Cherokee" We are in the 00.010 range."

OHH maybe this family should have their on "reality show we all know they can do it,and not fighting in or around 8 kids"" See the point??"

The price of fame can be a bit steep considering He and his wife may both go to jail and loose their kids to social services. Is having your own reality show worth all that?

The worst part is its all that TV has to do. Bringing down a 6 year old takes "guts and stupidity" I remember being 6 and here is what i think of the line ""we did it for the show"" was that for the show the family was on at that moment?? I say this shows that this is unprovable" at six I woulda said anythig to get the camera off me" You Go Falcon Your my hero. As for the dad great job an that Ballon, pefect design. It flew, it went high, and what a great shape" OOHHH who is ""WE""???? Him and his brother did great. YEAH FALCON fly high little Eagle!!!! Youve been charged with it now go do it" As for the Father " have a Dr from the USA Fed Govt as a Master Certiyed All(forms Of transportation Technologist) I will give you work.

the parents should be charged with a crime if one did in fact occur. they should also have to pay the cost of this fiasco. heaven forbid if an officer was killed or injured trying to save their son. if there was a prize for stupid stunts pulled by stupid parents, i think this would be the winner.

there is so much talk of how this is a hoax but on the flip side i hope they have proof cause so far i have not heard any. the cops was all excited by saying they were on tv before like it was his big smoking gun proof and that the mom and dad had met in a drama class. well if that is the only proof i hope he gets more cause if thats the case then all the people who have been on reality shows had better not call the cops for help with anything out of the norm. cause no one will believe them. everyone also keeps saying they did this to get a reality show out of it. reality shows are on going with real life . how would their show go? would their reality show be that they keep sending their son in the balloon every day? how would that be a reality show? could be a hoax but maybe not? maybe they were going to send the balloon up for attention but really did think the kid was in it by mistake

The kid gets scared that his dad will "YELL" at him – for playing with the stage props . So he gets so scared that he "crawls" up into the attic in their garage- not able to come out due to his Dads temper ! Also look at his wife in the videos- she is the replica of what to look for in a "battered woman". She seems so unsure of the script – but KNOWS NOT to go AGAINST his grain .

These people should be fined to the limit for a stunt like this! However, if you're going to take away the children, then take away everyone's children who have made a bad choice in life!

Just because the dad had a plan to do a hoax about a flying saucer about people thinking it was a real flying saucer, does not mean something couldn't of happened that wasn't planned, and that he really thought his boy was in the balloon. If they are acting, then they need to get an acting award. And don't you think that the dad will be more careful with his future projects, after he had such a scare?
If it really was a hoax, or the law rules it a hoax, I think he should be made to pay the money back that was spent on the ordeal, and made to do some house arrest. That would hurt the father quite a bit. Felonies, Prison? Contributing to the delinquency of a minor? I think this is blown way out of proportion. Its not like he’s a murderer or a child molester!

It completely dumbfounds me that people actually have sympathy for this family!!? YES, my wife & I watched the "action" until the thing came to the ground & had tears in our eyes that the boy was not inside. HOWEVER, after the fact, how could anyone defend the parents? It is one thing to make a fool of yourself, but to involve the kids is another matter. These "parents?" duped all of us, so yes, they should pay ALL expense's, have the children removed until they receive some "brain?" evaluation, serve some jail time & whatever else is appropriate.

I believed this was a hoax from the beginning. I watched the Wife swap episodes and didn't like the father then, and like him even less now. What worries me is the future of these children. They are already being taught to lie and be deceitful. They are being led to believe that lying to the authorities is O.K. It's appalling Are these going to be the moral values of the people who will some day being running our country? Without a doubt, some charges should be filed. Thank you...Pam/Michigan

Oh please, enough with the "balloon boy" et al. This is a local story and should be left at that. It was a hoax, everyone is safe and sound.
No orphanages burned down because of the chase.
Enough already!

I'm so glad to see you all smiling and giggling about the balloon boy's case. It seems to be giving you enough to chat about. I think its gone way to far. It looks like you will be getting you wish, get enough 'head' doctors involved and they'll all be finished. I'm sure the children will be taken, you've all seen to that. You take a story and slam it to death, either it dies out or the poor people are crushed, which ever comes first...news comes first huh. Have you ever seen children taken from the home, you need to do a few stories on that one. Its not a pretty site, nobody wins. Hey, I know what just go pick families at random and do a story on their family right out in the open and you'll have kooks all over the place, you can crush in the media, all for a good cause ya know..a great tv show! Now you all have a good day. I'm sure this won't be read but I had my say anyway.

This story has gotten way too much attention. It was a hoax, we get it. But has anyone stopped to really look at the interviews? Look at the wife and the boys, they look scared of the father. I think the only one to be punished should be the father, he clearly is the mastermind. And what devoted, loving husband would give up his wife for a week just for a show. (Wife Swap) Then shame on the Today show for continuing to do the interview after the little boy threw up, not once, but twice. Is the media so desperate for a story that they have no compassion for a 6 yr. old little boy. The little boy was probably sick from all the pressure from his father and the media. Leave this family alone and let the local law deal with it. There are more important things going on in the world to report on.

Any adult, especially a parent, who uses any child for any kind of monetary gain is sick and should have the child taken away. The adult/parent is supposed to be the breadwinner, so GET A JOB ON YOUR OWN and allow your child to have positive memories of you. That goes for all the celebs that flaunt their kids, especially the ones who claim they are protecting them. They get into entertaining for the attention they get from entertaining. Also included is Octomom and John/Kate and their litters of innocent lives. Why someone who already has children would be given fertility drugs in the first place is beyond me. Balloon boy and his siblings should be removed immediately and their parents could use some mental awareness exams. But, this is all just my opinion. Peace be with you.

Whoops, I left out the Toddlers to tiaras or whatever name you call it these days. It's all dysfunctional parents vicariously living through the child, who end up in tears sometimes at the emotional rape from the parents. This is child abuse and this show should be ripped off the air immediately. Just my opinion. Peace be with you.

I beleive that everyone talking about this he is getting what he wants.

I think people will do anything to get on the news. This story doesn't even make any sense. If the boy wasn't even in the ballon then why are we talking about it. This is an obvious publicity stunt and I think it's nonsense.

PEOPLE, PEOPLE, eases up you all have to admit that the ballon story was a break in the usual trash that all the so called important broadcast chanels put to us every hour with that breaking news be right back commercial for ten minutes.OR that has been story teller 60 minutes.Almost a half hour on a lost tennis player.Certainly you cannot get a better reason to shut them down for ever or until they get somebody that is alive and can tell a story before the fact rather than always after the fact.
How about one on OBAMA and how the country can get rid of him before he totally distroys us. We can even give him airforce one to fly away to his country of origin, and he can keep the plane.11/8/09

I absolutely love this story. It is surprising that the media either don’t know or don’t care about influence they have over the nation. Do u think all the school shooting would have happened if the first one was not so publicized? I think not. Kids found out then that the media will regurgitate the worst news with a passion. Yes its news but so is a 14 year old earning a degree, other people doing great things daily. So the media go everybody up in arms about a story that they jumped on too early without all the fact. But isn’t good journalism about painting a picture with all the facts.

i love that someone used the media’s bad habits to make them look bad. The power of suggestion is so strong. After all these years of u, the media shining ur bright light on murders, killing sprees no on feels safe. It’s crazy if no one was killed in your neighborhood than the news will bring u a sad story of someone 400 miles away. Y do u look so hard for bad news. It only makes people feel unsafe and untrusting of each other and this has destroyed communities since the news likes to make us feel like something bad is right around the corner. Justify it how u want everyone needs a job but only the best of us sacrifice for what’s right.

This shows how backwards the media is thinking. After they figured out that this family was using them to get on the news and the story was fake, U the media made a story about a story being fake helping them out even more. Shouldn’t u say we’re done with this story don’t give them what they want but no. that is crazy as helll.

The fact is that this man was right he knew u the media would jump all over this like a pack of hungry dogs without thought. And given the fact that the media will regurgitate its own regurgitation not to mention knowing that they help other kids commit suicide by proving to people that u will have a better chance of getting on the news for something bad faster and longer than something good. Its no different than me suggesting to a child that he would be well known if he committed this crime. U r a tool for more bad than good if u have a heart u will know this but ur heart might not weigh more than ur pocket and that’s y u will forget this. I tried.

Goodmorning Robin. How was your weekened? Finally made it to facebook, but when I did, I got this pop up from e machines! One of the reasons why I have not faced or twitter is because of the garbage these computer companies do to you machines & equipment... And it happeed when I signed on Regardless I made it finally! Fighting a lunf infection since I have been in New York...