The six-year-old boy who was thought to be in a mylar balloon speeding high across Colorado on Thursday was on the ABC series "Wife Swap."
Falcon Heene is the son of Richard and Mayumi Heene of Ft. Collins, Colo. His parents are storm chasers, and their chaotic parenting style was criticized by their "Wife Swap" swap family.
Richard and Mayumi Heene have two more sons, Bradford and Ryo.
According to the ABC 'Wife Swap' website, the family sleeps in their clothes so they can leap from bed and run after a storm at any given moment. The site also describes a "flying saucer" that sounds like the one that ultimately came back to earth Thursday.
"When the Heene family aren't chasing storms, they devote their time to scientific experiments that include looking for extraterrestrials and building a research-gathering flying saucer to send into the eye of the storm," says the site.
They're also apparently shooting music videos. An amateur rock/rap video called "Not Pussified" starring the three boys was posted on Youtube, showing the brothers shooting off rockets, throwing rocks at stuffed animals, and riding some sort of hovercraft that looks eerily like the saucer thought to be carrying Falcon on Thursday.
The Heene parents received criticism of their chaotic parenting style when Karen Martel of Connecticut entered the household as the new "wife" on "Wife Swap." Karen said her husband ran a child-proofing business, so she knew a thing or two about safety.
Karen chastised Richard for not keeping an eye on his sons, letting them play unattended in the woods behind the house. Richard fought Karen’s safety concerns every step of the way.
This was a set-up. The kid is puking on TV when being interviewed because he revealed the truth and dad is furious. The video of the "craft" floating away shows the dad kicking things in anger. He has a problem. His kids know what happens when dad gets mad. Wife looks like a moron that does everything she's told-reminds me of Guarido (sp?) chick in Jaycee kidnap case. Truth is,this guy is a zero that is trying all kind of stunts to get rich quick & easy in the YouTube sensation age.
The device was no more than a party balloon unable to lift a bowling more less a 6 year old. Fooled everyone and smells of a hoax by a bizzare family. They most of all knew it impossible and pure fantacy.
The response was over blown this time but a kite or fleet of them headed to a stadium or into a city is worth reviewing.
I think it was a hoax, but come on. It isnt the kids at fault, and boys will be boys. And I also played outside around the neighborhood without a watchful eye. Times have changed, but would I let my kids do this today, not so much. I always watch them cuz it only takes a second for something to happen. People have no morals anymore!
I think the father is mentally abusing the entire family. The mom seems out of it, and controlled by him. They remind me of a cult, where the leader makes all the decisions. Dept of Children's Services needs to get in there quickly
I hope that the boy's father learns that there are consequences to his actions. I just can't beleive that he left a 20 foot balloon tied up in his backyard. Heene should at least be liable for some of the costs of the search.
"The first time out they made me look like a mad man. This time around, we look like wackos."
Is it just me? Or do they just crave national publicity no matter how crazy they look. I reckon the whole "boy in a balloon" thing was a stunt.
All cost incured should be charged to these Parents. People like this should not have children.DSHS should remove them from these so called parents. The parents had to know this was going on.He built this balloon and knew what it's weight capacity was.This should have never gone as far as it did...Somewhere along the lines of communication with the local police dept. This family lied and made all this up.The local police should find a good search and rescue Dog.Would have saved time today.....!
I think the authorities mishandled it and should have done a better investigation. I mean really, six hours to find a boy in a house. That must be some kind of hide and seek record.
It seems like just general knowledge that little kids try to hide after doing something bad but I think police and rescue people should be very aware of that.
Also, how does a six year old climb into a balloon
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LizNnewOrleans
This was a set-up. The kid is puking on TV when being interviewed because he revealed the truth and dad is furious. The video of the "craft" floating away shows the dad kicking things in anger. He has a problem. His kids know what happens when dad gets mad. Wife looks like a moron that does everything she's told-reminds me of Guarido (sp?) chick in Jaycee kidnap case. Truth is,this guy is a zero that is trying all kind of stunts to get rich quick & easy in the YouTube sensation age.
ewalt
The device was no more than a party balloon unable to lift a bowling more less a 6 year old. Fooled everyone and smells of a hoax by a bizzare family. They most of all knew it impossible and pure fantacy. The response was over blown this time but a kite or fleet of them headed to a stadium or into a city is worth reviewing.
CMoore
I think it was a hoax, but come on. It isnt the kids at fault, and boys will be boys. And I also played outside around the neighborhood without a watchful eye. Times have changed, but would I let my kids do this today, not so much. I always watch them cuz it only takes a second for something to happen. People have no morals anymore!
Linda
I feel sorry for this poor kid. I watched them when they were featured on Wife Swap and his parents are total WHACKOS
joe
Was the balloon capable of lifting 50lbs to an altitude of the reported 7500feet above sea level? If the Dad's answer is negative,then it was a hoax!
Nancy
I think the father is mentally abusing the entire family. The mom seems out of it, and controlled by him. They remind me of a cult, where the leader makes all the decisions. Dept of Children's Services needs to get in there quickly
chris
I hope that the boy's father learns that there are consequences to his actions. I just can't beleive that he left a 20 foot balloon tied up in his backyard. Heene should at least be liable for some of the costs of the search.
Duncan Hill
"The first time out they made me look like a mad man. This time around, we look like wackos." Is it just me? Or do they just crave national publicity no matter how crazy they look. I reckon the whole "boy in a balloon" thing was a stunt.
Cindi
All cost incured should be charged to these Parents. People like this should not have children.DSHS should remove them from these so called parents. The parents had to know this was going on.He built this balloon and knew what it's weight capacity was.This should have never gone as far as it did...Somewhere along the lines of communication with the local police dept. This family lied and made all this up.The local police should find a good search and rescue Dog.Would have saved time today.....!
lou
I think the authorities mishandled it and should have done a better investigation. I mean really, six hours to find a boy in a house. That must be some kind of hide and seek record. It seems like just general knowledge that little kids try to hide after doing something bad but I think police and rescue people should be very aware of that. Also, how does a six year old climb into a balloon