Balloon Boy Dad Called TV Station, Then Police

Richard Heene called station with helicopter
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 17, 2009 8:15 AM CDT
Balloon Boy Dad Called TV Station, Then Police
Ryo Heene, the 9-year-old brother of Falcon Heene, plays in the backyard of his parents home in Fort Collins, Colo., on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. His younger brother, 6, was thought to be in a helium balloon that took off from the wooden platform at right. It set off a national uproar as authorities scoured...   (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

A detail that's sure to bolster hoax-believers in the odd tale of balloon boy: Turns out dad Richard Heene phoned a TV news station that had a helicopter before calling 911 after learning that 6-year-old Falcon had supposedly drifted off in a flying saucer-shaped helium balloon. Though Heene's first phone call was to the FAA, that detail may not quell speculation that the entire event was a publicity-seeking stunt.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden maintains that the call to the TV station was a logical one, because the helicopter could provide immediate help, adds the Telegraph.
(More Falcon Heene stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X