The mother of the 6-year-old boy believed to have been trapped in an airborne balloon later admitted to authorities that the incident was a hoax that she and her husband planned two weeks in advance.
According to documents released today by Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden, the boy’s mother, Mayumi Heene, told authorities two days after the balloon flight that she and her husband knew all along their son, Falcon, was hiding in the residence and was not in the balloon.
The two-and-a-half hour flight captured the nation’s attention on Oct. 15, as media outlets reported that the boy was onboard the silver, flying-saucer shaped balloon. When it landed in a field 50 miles away, authorities saw that the balloon was empty. The son, Falcon Heene, was found three hours later and told officials he had been hiding in the attic of the garage.
The mother said the hoax was designed to make the family more marketable for future media interest, including television reality shows. She also said the flying saucer-shaped balloon had been made specifically for the hoax.
She said she told her three children to lie to authorities as well as the media.
Attorney David Lane, who represents the father, Richard Heene, disregarded the mother’s confession.
“Her English is not that great, first of all,” Lane said, adding that he doesn’t know the circumstances under which she was questioned.
Lane said that the sheriff separated the Heenes and would not let them talk to each other.
“That is going to be the subject matter of some scrutiny,” Lane said. “Was she under arrest? Was she not under arrest? Was she free to leave?”
Lane added that his client, Richard Heene, has never admitted anything about a hoax.
Mayumi Heene’s attorney was out of town and did not respond to telephone calls and emails.
No charges have been filed in the case yet and Sheriff Alderden could not be reached for comment. The Larimer County District Attorney’s office said it has not received the case yet from the sheriff.
Mike McPhee: 303-954-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com
