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Was Balloon Boy Stunt a Hoax?

Falcon Heene tells CNN 'we did this for the show'

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 16, 2009 6:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – An apparent "slip" by Falcon Heene has fueled frenzied internet speculation that yesterday's balloon hoohah was a publicity stunt orchestrated by his family. When his dad asked him during a CNN interview with the family why the 6-year-old didn't come out of the attic when people were calling his name, Falcon responded: "You guys said we did this for the show." His mother leaned over to look at him and said: "No."

Dad Richard Heene quickly changed the subject, and got testy when asked to explain his son's comments. "Let me interrupt this real fast. I can see the direction you guys are hedging on this," he told Wolf Blitzer. "I'm kind of appalled after all the feelings that I went through, that you guys are trying to suggest something else." He said that Falcon's use of the word "show" referred to the family's recent appearance on ABC's Wife Swap. A sheriff on the scene said earlier that the family's emotions seemed genuine.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (2)]

Falcon Heene, 6, sits cross-legged on the roof of his family's van outside his home in Fort Collins, Colo., after he was found hiding in a box in a space above the garage yesterday. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Dad Richard Heene holds Falcon outside the family's home in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Wolf Blitzer asks the Heene family if the whole balloon incident was a publicity stunt. (CNN Video)

Longer clip reveals dad Richard Heene changing the subject after Facon comment that "we did this for the show." (frontrowlive)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 16 comments

mak

Oct 16, 2009 11:56 AM CDT

ew. i just watched it again. she did fart. insult to injury.

mak

Oct 16, 2009 11:54 AM CDT

that kid can't even sit still for a three minute interview. how could he have hid in the attic all that time? very suspicious...

NxBigmouthery

Oct 16, 2009 8:42 AM CDT

I just saw the footage, cut from the bit provided here, where we see and hear Dad's immediate reaction to Falcon's response. 1) 'Ma-an', as in 'dammit to fuckery, the kid blew it', 2) a shitscared, shallow-throated non-sequitur in 'You didn't...um...come out?' and 3) a heavy, defeated sigh, by way of annoyance and a desperate attempt to get his breath back after his heart jumped into his throat.

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Media • Celebrity • Lifestyle • US

Colorado • hoax • balloon • Falcon Heene • Richard Heene • balloon boy hoax • balloon boy throws up • Falcon Heene hoax • balloon boy today show

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Was Balloon Boy Stunt a Hoax?