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| US balloon boy case 'was a hoax' | US balloon boy case 'was a hoax' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A US sheriff has said the case of six-year-old Falcon Heene who was believed to be adrift in a hot air balloon, prompting a major alert, was a hoax. | A US sheriff has said the case of six-year-old Falcon Heene who was believed to be adrift in a hot air balloon, prompting a major alert, was a hoax. |
| Sheriff Jim Alderden said the parents of the boy were actors and had put on a "good show for us, and we bought it". | Sheriff Jim Alderden said the parents of the boy were actors and had put on a "good show for us, and we bought it". |
| Falcon's disappearance became a media drama, but he was later found at home. | Falcon's disappearance became a media drama, but he was later found at home. |
| The Colorado sheriff said there had been no arrests yet but charges may include conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. | |
| Some of the most serious charges each carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 (£305,00) fine. | Some of the most serious charges each carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 (£305,00) fine. |
| Police feared for the boy's life believing him to be in the balloon | |
| Sheriff Alderden said at first the parents' acting abilities had made them appear credible to the police. | Sheriff Alderden said at first the parents' acting abilities had made them appear credible to the police. |
| But it had become clear when the son referred to his hiding in the attic as part of "a show" during a television interview that they were not telling the the truth. | But it had become clear when the son referred to his hiding in the attic as part of "a show" during a television interview that they were not telling the the truth. |
| He said the house of Richard and Mayumi Heene has been searched for evidence that the family was hoping to use the incident to obtain a lucrative contract for a television reality. | He said the house of Richard and Mayumi Heene has been searched for evidence that the family was hoping to use the incident to obtain a lucrative contract for a television reality. |
| "We believe that we have evidence at this point to indicate that it was a publicity stunt done with the hopes of marketing themselves or better marketing themselves for a reality television show at some point in the future," he said. | |
| The family has made previous appearances on a US reality show, Wife Swap. | The family has made previous appearances on a US reality show, Wife Swap. |
| Police had also found that the balloon was extremely flimsy, made of plywood, cardboard and held together with "string and duct tape". | |
| Sheriff Alderden said the police may seek compensation for the time wasted. | |
| US news networks devoted hours of live coverage to the drama on Thursday after it was reported the boy might be in a balloon floating high over Colorado. | |
| When the aircraft landed in fields there was no trace of him, prompting a major ground search and further fears for his safety. | |
| The boy, his two brothers and his parents gave numerous TV interviews late on Thursday and early Friday - insisting the disappearance was not staged. |