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Balloon Mess No Hoax: Sheriff

Restitution remains a possibility

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 16, 2009 2:38 PM CDT
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(AP) – The Larimer County, Colo., sheriff's office has no indication the Heene family was carrying out a hoax when the parents reported their 6-year-old son was in a helium balloon that floated away from their home and traveled more than 50 miles. "We believe at this time that it was a real event. Certainly people are free to speculate," Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said today. He added that if the episode "turns out to be a hoax, we will seek restitution by whatever means we have available."

In this image rendered from video and released by KMGH-TV in Denver, a homemade balloon aircraft is seen after it landed in a Colorado field near Ft. Collins Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.
In this image rendered from video and released by KMGH-TV in Denver, a homemade balloon aircraft is seen after it landed in a Colorado field near Ft. Collins Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.   ((AP Photo/KMGH-TV ) MANDATORY CREDIT; NO SALES)
Six-year-old Falcon Heene sits cross-legged on the roof of his family's van outside his home in Fort Collins, Colo., on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.
Six-year-old Falcon Heene sits cross-legged on the roof of his family's van outside his home in Fort Collins, Colo., on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.   (David Zalubowski)
In this image rendered from video and released by KMGH-TV in Denver, a balloon is seen moments after landing in Colorado, near Fort Collins Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. No one was found in the balloon.
In this image rendered from video and released by KMGH-TV in Denver, a balloon is seen moments after landing in Colorado, near Fort Collins Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. No one was found in the balloon.   (AP Photo/KMGH-TV)
In this image rendered from video and released by KMGH-TV in Denver, a hot-air balloon is seen over Colorado, near Fort Collins.
In this image rendered from video and released by KMGH-TV in Denver, a hot-air balloon is seen over Colorado, near Fort Collins.   ((AP Photo/KMGH-TV ))
In this TV publicity image released by ABC, the Heene family, clockwise from back left, Richard, Mayumi, Ryan, Falcon and Bradford are shown at their home in Fort Collins, Colo. on Nov. 15, 2008.
In this TV publicity image released by ABC, the Heene family, clockwise from back left, Richard, Mayumi, Ryan, Falcon and Bradford are shown at their home in Fort Collins, Colo. on Nov. 15, 2008.   ((AP Photo/ABC))
Investigators with the Adams County Sheriff's Department are seen at the scene where a balloon landed in a plowed field east of Hudson, Colo., on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.
Investigators with the Adams County Sheriff's Department are seen at the scene where a balloon landed in a plowed field east of Hudson, Colo., on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.   (Ed Andrieski)
In this image rendered from video and released by KMGH-TV in Denver, a hot-air balloon is seen over Colorado, near Fort Collins.
In this image rendered from video and released by KMGH-TV in Denver, a hot-air balloon is seen over Colorado, near Fort Collins.   ((AP Photo/KMGH-TV ))
Investigators with the Adams County Sheriff's Department are seen at the scene where a balloon landed in a plowed field east of Hudson, Colo., on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.
Investigators with the Adams County Sheriff's Department are seen at the scene where a balloon landed in a plowed field east of Hudson, Colo., on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.   (Ed Andrieski)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Muzz
Oct 16, 2009 11:33 AM CDT
yea, on to more serious things like JonKkateGate.
youngblood
Oct 16, 2009 9:16 AM CDT
Did u see the video that came out when he was releasing the balloon yesterday and his wife did something wrong in his mind and he kicked the chair...guy needs anger management NOW!!
NxBigmouthery
Oct 16, 2009 9:02 AM CDT
There will remain questions around Falcon's 'show' answer and Heene's obviously flustered reaction.

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Colorado • balloon • Falcon Heene • balloon boy hoax • Falcon Heene hoax • balloon boy

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