The parents involved in the infamous “Balloon Boy” hoax incident of 2009 have announced that they will sell off the balloon and give the proceeds to charity, particularly towards the victims of the Japanese earthquake.
The “Balloon Boy” hoax was an incident staged two years by a couple from Fort Collins, Colorado: Richard and Mayumi Heene. On October 15, 2009, the couple had filled a gas balloon with helium and allowed it to fly up in the air. They later called authorities and expressed fear that their six-year-old son was in the balloon. The incident attracted worldwide attention, particularly in media. An hour after the balloon had set off, it landed about a dozen miles off the Denver International Airport.
The boy, Falcon, was not found in the balloon, raising fears that he had fallen off, but he was later found to be safe in his parents’ home.
The incident was later proven to be a hoax, and Larimer County sheriff pressed charges against the couple. Richard Heene plead guilty and was sentenced to 90 days jail for trying to influence a public servant; his wife Mayumi served 20 days.
The six-year old boy, Falcon, was nicknamed “Balloon Boy” for the incident and appeared with his parents on CNN in an interview with Wolf Blitzer on Larry King Live.
