Eleven years after the hoax about a six-year-old allegedly escaped in a helium balloon in the USA, Falcon Heene’s parents have been pardoned. The publicity addicted family had kept the United States and the whole world in suspense with a crazy story of lies.
Fort Collins (Colorado) – “It is time to stop allowing a permanent criminal record from the balloon boy saga and dragging parents down for the rest of their lives,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis a day before Christmas. The parents were sentenced to 90 and 20 days behind bars.
In December 2009, Mayumi and Falcon Heene were tried Photo: AFP
The balloon boy legend
Major alarm in Fort Collins (Colorado) in October 2009: According to Daddy Falcon Heene, his son Falcon (6) should be in a helium balloon built by his father that had broken loose. National Guard with helicopters, private planes, police and fire departments went in the US state of Colorado in search of the child. TV stations broadcast the search live.
Everything was dramatized by witnesses who wanted to see that the boy had fallen out of the balloon gondola …
October 15, 2009: The self-made helium balloon in lands near Denver Airport (Colorado, USA)Photo: dpa
Richard and Mayumi Heene later pleaded guilty to having started the story in hopes of the bogus story making themselves attractive candidates for a reality show on television.
The little rascal Falcon shocked half the world for one dayPhoto: AP
According to the prosecutor, the cost of the alleged rescue operation was nearly $ 50,000. The judge in Fort Collins, near Denver, described the case as an “elaborate joke” with which the Heenes “exploited” their children, the media and people’s feelings to make money.
Falcon later formed a heavy metal band with his brothers Ryo and Bradford. They released a song with the title “Balloon Boy, No Dizziness”, in the corresponding video a supposed flying saucer could be seen.