Balloon Boy alive and safe
For a few hours this afternoon, the nation turned its focus to an unlikely victim -- Balloon Boy.
A 6-year-old boy named Falcon Heene was believed to have crawled into a homemade balloon modeled after a UFO in Denver and found himself floating below the clouds. The Heene family was featured on the 100th episode of the ABC show "Wife Swap," which aired nearly two weeks ago.
CNN followed the balloon with cameras as news commentators quizzically ranted about how confusing this whole thing was. Tell me about it.
When the balloon was finally grounded, no one was found inside.
Finally, authorities confirmed that the so-called Balloon Boy was alive and safe.
The hubbub was followed intently by major news organizations, but the chatter was perhaps most prevalent and most immediate on Twitter. On the social network, endless tweets were focused on the event.
As rumors spread and the boy's safety remained uncertain, users signified their distress by Twittering concerned comments and appending the hashtag "#saveballoonboy."
Also on the Trending Topics list, which shows the most popular topics at any given time, was #balloonboy, Balloon Boy, Falcon and Colorado.
Here's a sampling of some of the more notable tweets reacting to the news of the boy being found:
Raychellie: Falcon Heenes (aka: balloon boy) should win the 2009 Hide and Seek award.
SethMyers21: Oh and by the way, THE KID SHOULD GET IN TROUBLE!!!!
Motownmutt: Hearing rumours that the balloon boy is grounded.
Franklinavenue: Today's coverage of "Balloon Boy" brought to you by Disney Home Entertainment. "Up" released on DVD and Blu-ray on Nov. 10!
How did you react to the Balloon Boy news?
Update after the jump...
Update @ 6:58pm: This video clip from the family's interview with Wolf Blitzer seems to suggest that little Falcon said that he hid in the garage because "we did this for the show". Although it's hard to really hear the boy's words, a few of our readers feel that they too heard him say those words too.
-- Mark Milian
Twitter: @markmilian
Photo credit: Associated Press
I watched the WHOLE thing and if this wasn't a stunt or a sham 'lost' boy, I have been more gullible then an idiot. The Heany's should PAY for ALL the policemen and pilots and everything. This was a HOAX. That kid LOOKS like he's lying. His father put him up to it and his father is LYING!! I can tell!! What a SCAM!!!
Posted by: Heidi Morgan | October 15, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Does anyone know of their Los Angeles connection? The two older boys attended Brockton Elementary School in West LA before moving to Fort Collins.
Posted by: sb | October 15, 2009 at 04:48 PM
this family should be investigated by DCF. this is a potentially deadly situation. these parents have alot to answer for.
Posted by: stonermoog | October 15, 2009 at 04:49 PM
SCAM SCAM SCAM Bored people who want to be kept in the spotlight. Make they pay the bills that this country will have to pay ALL those emergency people who were tracking, trailing and using their resources to try a 'save' the little tyke.
Posted by: Heidi Morgan | October 15, 2009 at 04:52 PM
How did I react? Certainly not by tweeting about it, or thinking that tweeting would somehow help "save" him.
Posted by: Andrew | October 15, 2009 at 05:16 PM
This is investigative journalism? Recounting Twitter updates? I kind of wanted to know if the kid had anything to say for himself or what the parents planned to do with him... but twitter updates are good :(
Posted by: D. Williams | October 15, 2009 at 05:28 PM
Seriously? Where were the parents. Kids on the roof with a video camera? Uh, ya....great parenting. Douchenozzles!
Posted by: BestParentEver | October 15, 2009 at 05:49 PM
RT @wnymedia @FNC Hold on #balloonboy, imma let u finish, but Amelia Earhart had one of the best disappearances from a flight OF ALL TIME!
and
RT Yo Balloon Boy, I'm happy for you and Imma let you finish, but Anne Frank had the best attic hideout spot of all time.
Were the most often repeated trends on Twitter today.
Luckily Falcon's safe!
Posted by: Joycelyn Flortine | October 15, 2009 at 06:00 PM
I just the heard Falcon say, on CNN, that "this was supposed to be for a TV show."
Posted by: Ablonde | October 15, 2009 at 06:26 PM
It's made for TV phony. The kid wasn't actually in danger since he wasn't in the ballon. It's just another family making money off their kids.
The parents are reality show entertainers(cough,cough)and they've learned very well how to play the game. Now, combining it with the voracious appetite of the 24 hr. news cycle, they've now got their name out there and another show in the works. Free promotion and make some money too.
Posted by: G. Martz | October 15, 2009 at 06:27 PM
i was just waching cnn it is live and when they asked the boy why he didnt anser he responded "you said it was just for show" im 90 percent sure that wat he said
Posted by: anon | October 15, 2009 at 06:39 PM
I was watching this earlier then had to leave when i came back they had found the boy and were interviewing the family the news guy asked falcon if he could hear anyone call him, he said yes, then the news guy asked why didn't you answer if you heard someone calling for you and he said because it was suppose to be a show then his dad took over the conversation, if it wasdn't a scam i don't know what is, poor children, that awful man obviously put his kids up to it i don't care what he says:)
Posted by: Northermichigan | October 15, 2009 at 07:00 PM
Is it possible that what the kid meant by "we did this for the show" was that him and his dad had worked on the balloon for the dad's science show (The Science Detectives) and because he accidentally untethered the balloon and lost it, he hid for fear of punishment?
Posted by: Adrienne V. | October 15, 2009 at 07:30 PM
I was watching the Wolf Blitzer interview, and the little boy really did say "we did this for a show" or something along those lines. I heard it with my own ears, and as soon as he said it, the mom and dad looked visibly uncomfortable. If this really was for publicity, those parents should have to pay back every dime of the cost to search for that kid, and they owe everybody a HUGE apology.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 15, 2009 at 07:30 PM
man u guys are liers how dare u play with something so serious just for publicity... even the boy said i didnt come out cuz u said it was for a show... u guys should pay for all the police and all the news that went down...
Posted by: jessica | October 15, 2009 at 07:38 PM
THEY SHOULD BE LOCKED UP! A PRECEDENT NEEDS TO BE SET. THINK OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WERE IN REAL DANGER WHO DIDN'T GET THE ASSISTANCE THEY NEEDED BC THESE OF FAME SEEKING DEGENERATES.
THIS BETTER PROMPT AN INVESTIGATION. ANYONE WHO KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT INTEROGATION KNOWS THEY WERE LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!!LYING!!!! FIRE BRIMSTONE!!!FIRE BRIMSTONE!!!FIRE BRIMSTONE!!!FIRE BRIMSTONE!!!FIRE BRIMSTONE!!!FIRE BRIMSTONE!!!
Posted by: LIES | October 15, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Jeez it seems so obvious this is a planned prank to get publicity for father. He did say "we did this for the show". I have a two young boys and had no issue whatsoever hearing that sentence. I was watching wolf when he said it and the fathers actions afterwords were clearly suspect. He showed signs of a guy caught in a lye beginning to realize the error of his ways. Once I later read that they were on reality TV it just cemented my belief. The real question is why didn't CNN start really questioning this when they had them in the moment. I feel sorry for anyone that would go to this level to get attention.
Posted by: webdesignman | October 16, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Come on, people, show some intelligence here. Put yourself back in the mind of a 6 year old, if you can. HE MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS GOING ON. He's been on TV before. Now he's on TV again. He's undoubtedly been told that TV isn't real. So he's confusing make believe with reality. You're acting like his statement reflects the sophistication of an adult mind, a common mistake for many adults trying to attribute complex thought to young children, a feat most are completely incapable of at that age.
As for the parents acting uncomfortable after the kid piped up, any parents should relate to being in a similar situation...your kid spouts out with an embarrassing statement that makes perfect sense to the child's immature mind, but sounds bad when taken out of that context. The parents in this situation knew that what their kid just said made them look bad...and any attempt to offer a quick explanation would come across as a feeble attempt at backpedaling. It's a no-win situation.
Don't be so quick to make unthinking assumptions.
Posted by: Joseph | October 16, 2009 at 03:41 AM
Bill this father & collect, even via property liens, for all costs, including NORAD & all costs associated with partially closing Colorado airport.
The public purse need not be used to subsidize this foolishness, whether for a show or not.
Posted by: mznomer | October 16, 2009 at 04:23 AM
This Dad and Mom just saw a hole is the sad, pathetic reality TV world with the pending cancellation of " John and Kate + 8" and they thought they could fill the void.
This is SUCH a scam and they should be punished to the fullest extent of the law, the children and their environment should be investigated and the good people of Colorado should shun these people.
This guy is not a scientist, he is a pathetic man who existence centers around his C level fame. Just watch him on Wife Swap and you will see.
This is yet another sad example of the trajectory of America. Fame = money = happiness. Go get a real degree is science and give you kids something to look-up to.
Posted by: Mike | October 16, 2009 at 05:49 AM
They're just trying to get their 15 minutes ... again. Who cares? Stop giving them air time. It's sad that they were even considered to go on Larry King. Ugh...
Posted by: necie | October 16, 2009 at 06:03 AM
A fraud from the beginning, and officials should have realized it. There is NO WAY that balloon was big enough to lift a 6-year-old.
Posted by: Steve | October 16, 2009 at 06:07 AM
"We did it for the show",are all you people out there who believe this stupid story, really that gullable? This famalies fifteen minutes of fame on Wife swap wasn't enough so he(the Father] decided this would be a good PUBLICITY stunt. How much would you like to bet, in the next few months he trys to market this stupiid balloon.Think about it people and don't be so gullable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: michelle tyacke | October 16, 2009 at 08:03 AM
lost boy's dad is not even looking directly into camera, and thinking a lot during interview.. 100 % lying..
Posted by: ss | October 16, 2009 at 08:42 AM
This is a HOAX. Watch the video of entire family in the backyard when the balloon goes afloat. The father knows the boy is not inside. First you can not be inside the balloon breathing hellium. There is no box attached to the bottom of the balloon. The coon shape object at the bottom is basiclly for equipment and also aids as a counterweight so the the balloon does not tumble while afloat. I am positive this is not the end of this story and the father and mother will have to answer to the power of law. HOAX HOAX HOAX...
Posted by: Keith Thompson | October 16, 2009 at 10:39 AM