Falcon Heene Not Trapped in UFO Shaped Balloon, Colorado: video

by Amy Judd | October 15, 2009 at 11:02 am

39256 views | 54 Recommendations | 46 comments

Falcon Heene has been found to not be trapped inside the UFO shaped balloon that was found flying over Colorado. It was thought that he was trapped inside, but once the balloon landed he was not in the basket.

Falcon Heene has now been found alive and well but he was never inside the balloon. Police are saying at this time that Falcon was hiding in the attic, but some people are speculating that the Heene family knew he wasn't in the balloon all along.

Was this a publicity stunt?

The Heene family also has a YouTube channel

Previous reporting:

Falcon Heene, a six-year-old boy from Colorado, was trapped alone in a hot air balloon that is shaped like a UFO high above the state.

Update 12:36pm PST: The balloon has now landed on the ground.

Watch a live video of the balloon

A picture of Falcon Heene and his family

He climbed in and the hot air balloon floated away - it has the potential to rise 10,000 feet in to the air.

Officials are following the balloon and last say it about 40 miles north of Denver.

Reports say that the basket attached to the balloon is not meant to hold a person, even one as light as a six-year-old.

Falcon Heene is the youngest child in the Heene family with dad Richard, mom Mayumi, with brothers Bradford and Ryo.

The balloon he reportedly climed in to is a homemade helium aircraft, which his family was building as an experimental aircraft at their home in Fossil Ridge Road in Fort Collins.

The boy climbed in and untied the ropes. The craft is dome shaped and is 20 feet long by five feet and is covered in foil.

The Heene family was featured on Wife Swap on ABC and they are known storm chasers in the area.

The National Guard is on route to where they think the craft is located so that they can get some new visuals on the boy. Another helicopter is to be dispatched shortly, but the trouble was how to get a craft like this out of the air and how to save Falcon.

It was being reported that the craft may land by itself as it is getting closer to the ground. Emergency crews are gathering on the ground in the hopes that the boy will come down soon.

2 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend Add a comment

jefhow22

at 11:17 on October 15th, 2009

My Lord....this is unbelieveable....that poor 6 year old.....God have Mercy on him...

Hugh Askew

at 11:42 on October 15th, 2009

Evidently, he is not in the ballon.

Yuliya Talmazan

at 11:43 on October 15th, 2009

The story has changed completely. Very interesting. But, the question is -- where is the child now?

Blue Crush

at 06:20 on October 16th, 2009

There's some interesting comments on their YouTube Channel today.

juana sanz (not verified)

at 11:49 on October 15th, 2009

boy's dead

Caytlin (not verified)

at 06:50 on October 16th, 2009

How would you know? Have faith... He isn't dead. He is a child of God. He isn't dead. They said he was hidding because he didn't want to get in trouble for something. I know the family. He is a very sweet little boy. I love him to death. If he was, they would have found the body. He is safe in his own bed now. Stop saying heis dead. I know he isn't and God knows it to. Now for all of you who want to think he is dead you are all wrong. He is safe and sound in his own home. Thank you. Have a Nice and careful day. (:

jefhow22

at 11:51 on October 15th, 2009

thank goodness he was not in the balloon...now...where is the child....juana...you do not know that!!!

caytlin (not verified)

at 06:53 on October 16th, 2009

Thank you!!He doesn't know that he is dead. he is NOT dead. I know that he is safe and sound in his own home. Have faith. God willing anything happen to the little boy. I love them to death. I know them personally... nothing happend or will happen.. Thank you again. Have a nice and carefun day.. God bless(:

henry bear (not verified)

at 11:56 on October 15th, 2009

This is just a terrible story - They should have locked that balloon down especially with a 6 yr old able to access it. VERY SAD.

wtf concerned (not verified)

at 12:03 on October 15th, 2009

wtf that prro little boy..i saw that wife swap episode nd with parents like that its bound to happen

pedro suarez (not verified)

at 12:09 on October 15th, 2009

Guess falcons can't fly after all ;)

citycomp2000 (not verified)

at 12:15 on October 15th, 2009

I'm smelling publicity seekers,,damn kids already had a rehearsed video, and looks like daddy found a way to make money in this television obsessed world...

Stunt (not verified)

at 12:17 on October 15th, 2009

Its a publicity stunt. Trust me

The PAB (not verified)

at 12:20 on October 15th, 2009

Something is really smelling fishy with all of this. Hope for the best for the boy, but there is something just not adding up with this family and the fact they were on a TV show where they family swapped with a family that is into "performance art."

Sanya T. Eller (not verified)

at 12:23 on October 15th, 2009

I do not believe that the child was ever in the balloon when it took off . The story is a cover.

cruzn_mr2 (not verified)

at 12:26 on October 15th, 2009

He's probably hiding somewhere. He know he's probably in trouble.

caytlin (not verified)

at 06:55 on October 16th, 2009

He was hidding somewhere. thats what the news said. and i know he is in trouble. lol

agdobson

at 12:27 on October 15th, 2009

follow the search live:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?ctid=275

Nataly (not verified)

at 12:31 on October 15th, 2009

The fascinating thing is they were on wifeswap as a family that lives on the edge and the other was amom who specializes in child proofing and keeping children out of harms way. If these jackasses killed thier young child I hope Colorado prosecutes for child endangerment and throws the book at them......Idiots

cruzn_mr2 (not verified)

at 12:33 on October 15th, 2009

If for some weird reason this is a hoax, these people should be charged for time spent tracking the balloon. If that's not the case, and something did happen to the boy, the parents should be charged with neglect.

brennnnaa (not verified)

at 12:37 on October 15th, 2009

i'm guessing its a publicity stunt, i mean maybe hes actually missing but authorities were monitering the balloon the whole time and there was no sign of the boy falling out, so im sure his parents did this for publicity..the kid's probably hidden away at a friends house ;) if not, good luck to him i guess!

donna l (not verified)

at 12:38 on October 15th, 2009

I smell foul play they boy is probably dead, they did it, made up this crazy story to cover it all up.

Heidi000004444 (not verified)

at 12:38 on October 15th, 2009

Those parents should be jailed for this. This is horrible!

born909 (not verified)

at 12:39 on October 15th, 2009

may the lord with him n guide him.....my blessings to the fam.

Swoosh (not verified)

at 12:43 on October 15th, 2009

I watched the balloon like so many, hoping and praying that the boy inside was safe....then no boy... I began to worry about the idea of a basket that had separated from the craft, if this did happen I have great hope the boy is okay. If for some idiotic reason this is all a ploy to get publicity and the boy is actually stashed somewhere; 1. I'm glad he is fine :)2. I dont appreciate your antics costing resources for a non emergency not to mention the time that everyone invested for your antics.3. I wish to discuss parenting with the parents.... (privately) :)In either case..... Superior job by the rescuers and everyone that played a part in working to follow the balloon to save the boy. I am impressed and applaud your hard work. :)

cruzn_mr2 (not verified)

at 12:43 on October 15th, 2009

OMG donna you've been watching too much Nancy Grace!!!

ahhh (not verified)

at 12:48 on October 15th, 2009

wow....i hope the kid is alrite. but dang...that's one adventure that he'll never forget :)

SvenE (not verified)

at 13:08 on October 15th, 2009

People or children don't just disappear. The other child said he was in the balloon. Why didn't the father know this? Something just isn't right here. I suspect foul play. Poor child my best wishes are with him.