Balloon Boy Busts Parents

[padams]

TMZ and other websites are reporting that the parents recently have been shopping their idea for a reality show around Hollywood. I'm leaning toward hoax. And, I certainly wouldn't want to be the teacher of one of those kids. I've seen their rap song on youtube.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Interesting analysis... but it discounts a couple of things:

1) The parents were both actors before they skipped town in California.

2) Falcon could have been just off camera in the video.

I think the anger the father shows in the video is probably genuine and think the release was likely accidental. However, I do think that it's also likely that the "Falcon's in the balloon!" story may have concocted on the fly as a means to avoid any trouble the father might have feared for releasing the unlicensed craft into the air space over Ft. Collins.

As I think the math proves and video shows, they had to either be idiots or liars to honestly think that their kid was in that balloon as it floated off.

That's what I'm thinking. I think the release was unintentional and after it happened maybe fleetingly they thought, oh my gosh, is Falcon still in there? And then ran with that lie.

Of course, I could be wrong. The only thing that doesn't fit is the authorities thinking they're telling the truth.

 

[Geoff_M]

Here you go... If you want to see now much helium it takes to lift a four year old off the ground, it took the Mythbusters over 3,500 toy balloons! And at that number they achieved barely any lift. Now compare that mass of helium to the size of "Falcon's Balloon".

 

[blissventure]

That's what I'm thinking. I think the release was unintentional and after it happened maybe fleetingly they thought, oh my gosh, is Falcon still in there? And then ran with that lie.

Of course, I could be wrong. The only thing that doesn't fit is the authorities thinking they're telling the truth.

I think the authorities will continue with the truth line until they have solid evidence they can charge with.
There is nothing helpful to LE to speculate on whether the parents are lying at this point. The good cop position is "we believe them".

 

[blissventure]

Here you go... If you want to see now much helium it takes to lift a four year old off the ground, it took the Mythbusters over 3,500 toy balloons! And at that number they achieved barely any lift. Now compare that mass of helium to the size of "Falcon's Balloon".

Thanks for being our Mr. Science today! Your posts have been very helpful to me in understanding what is scientifically possible.

 

[vettechick99]

Ok, so this guy obviously enough about physics to build that and get it off the ground.

Well I know basically nothing about physics, but looking at that video, the balloon seems very flimsy, almost paper thin. The kid looks to weigh about 40 lbs?

Assuming I am right (a mere layperson), wouldn't he know that a child couldn't be in there and it take off?

The dad is soooooooo shady to me.

 

[C.Ann]

Ok, so this guy obviously enough about physics to build that and get it off the ground.

Well I know basically nothing about physics, but looking at that video, the balloon seems very flimsy, almost paper thin. The kid looks to weigh about 40 lbs?

Assuming I am right (a mere layperson), wouldn't he know that a child couldn't be in there and it take off?

The dad is soooooooo shady to me.

Totally OT, but you know how they say that everyone has a "twin" somewhere in the world? You look exactly like my stepdaughter!! She has the same hair - is so very, very pretty - you look to be the same size as her - and she has that gorgeous smile - just like you!

 

[Philagoofy]

I always thought that people blink when they lie and I didn't see the dad blink when he told his story. However, I just can't shake this feeling that it was for publicity. I just don't see mom being all emotional as I would be...

"Just remember, it's not a lie if you believe it." G.C.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Interesting analysis... but it discounts a couple of things:

1) The parents were both actors before they skipped town in California.

2) Falcon could have been just off camera in the video.

I think the anger the father shows in the video is probably genuine and think the release was likely accidental. However, I do think that it's also likely that the "Falcon's in the balloon!" story may have concocted on the fly as a means to avoid any trouble the father might have feared for releasing the unlicensed craft into the air space over Ft. Collins.

As I think the math proves and video shows, they had to either be idiots or liars to honestly think that their kid was in that balloon as it floated off.

Actually--she doesn't discount anything. She can only give her opionion if someone is lying based on what she sees them say.

If you peruse the rest of her website, you would catch that.

She does wish to see more video, but I'm guessing they won't be doing much more interviews anytime soon.

 

[vettechick99]

Totally OT, but you know how they say that everyone has a "twin" somewhere in the world? You look exactly like my stepdaughter!! She has the same hair - is so very, very pretty - you look to be the same size as her - and she has that gorgeous smile - just like you!

I have a doppleganger!?!? I must see a picture!!

ETA: Thank you for the kind words. How sweet!

 

[C.Ann]

I have a doppleganger!?!? I must see a picture!!

ETA: Thank you for the kind words. How sweet!

I wish I could post a photo for you, but I don't think she would give me the okay.. A year ago she became a young widow - her DH passed away from thyroid cancer.. She's been having a real tough time of it..

 

[Aisling]

Ok, so this guy obviously enough about physics to build that and get it off the ground.

Well I know basically nothing about physics, but looking at that video, the balloon seems very flimsy, almost paper thin. The kid looks to weigh about 40 lbs?

Assuming I am right (a mere layperson), wouldn't he know that a child couldn't be in there and it take off?

The dad is soooooooo shady to me.

One commentator on the news said the father had an idea to adjust the flying saucer to be a low-flying commuter vehicle! They also said he had trouble getting anyone to take him seriously. Well, during the "flight", there were engineers and aeronautical experts watching on TV doing analysis on the thing (to determine if it would be possible it to hold the child's weight), so now the father is getting the exposure he wanted.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

In the news conference, Alderden addressed concerns that responding authorities had not thoroughly searched the home.

"[We] searched the house three times... went into crawl spaces [but] did not search the one where the boy was hiding," he told a group of reporters.

"Personnel didn't think it was possible for the boy to get there," he added in regards to the space where Falcon spent nearly five hours hiding.

With a search team like that, I hope I don't ever lose anyone in that vicinity.

But for now, I will believe the authorities that are trained in this kind of thing instead of rampant rumors, gossip and media speculation.

I made my own judgment that it was a hoax based on what I saw myself, not rumors, gossip nor media speculation.

I always thought that people blink when they lie and I didn't see the dad blink when he told his story.

If it were that easy to determine lying based on blinking, we wouldn't need trials and juries.

 

[moon]

Here you go... If you want to see now much helium it takes to lift a four year old off the ground, it took the Mythbusters over 3,500 toy balloons! And at that number they achieved barely any lift. Now compare that mass of helium to the size of "Falcon's Balloon".

I thought so and posted as much yesterday. But I was told that experts on TV said that it could lift (can't remember now, but over 100 pounds) As soon as it landed and I saw the size of it against the rescuer that caught it I said "no way!"

 

[Geoff_M]

Actually--she doesn't discount anything. She can only give her opionion if someone is lying based on what she sees them say.

I understand that. My point is that if the person she's analyzing is a trained actor, the task of trying to make a determination like "the emotions I hear on it are genuine" gets a little more complicated. She talks about such a hoax would require great acting skills, but overlooks ("discounts") the fact that they do have training and experience in that department... that's all I meant.

 

[MaumeeMom]

From CNN:

Sheriff: Charges expected in 'balloon boy' case
Posted: 09:25 PM ET
(CNN) — Authorities in Colorado say criminal charges are expected to be filed in the case involving a storm-chasing Fort Collins father whose giant Mylar balloon ascended into the sky earlier this week — sparking fears that his 6-year-old was aboard.

"We anticipate criminal charges will be filed sometime in the near future," Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden told CNN.

 

[MissFitt]

From CNN:

Charges can't come soon enough...I say thrown them in jail and take away the keys -- and get CPS out to get the kids into a good home...

 

[MaumeeMom]

I haven't seen anything today but even if the local LEO's can't get them for perpetrating a hoax - which would just be a misdemeanor for filing a false report - I bet that there are plenty of Federal regulations that weren't followed. Didn't the FAA have to shut down the airport for a while? That should get them a fine or two.

More and more it seems as if the Heenes are unfit parents. I hope that Family Services does step in soon. Dragging those kids in front of the TV cameras the day after the incident was horrible. When the kid puked on national television, I was appalled. It really showed where the parents' priorities are and it is definitely not with what is in the best interests of the children.

 

[MaumeeMom]

I just saw this - they are filing charges:

CNN

ABC

The sheriff gave few specifics as to what charges the Heenes could face, but said that his office was looking into whether federal charges might be applicable or whether there might have been Federal Aviation Administration violations in the release of balloon Thursday.

"We are talking to the district attorney, federal officials to see if perhaps there aren't additional federal charges that are appropriate in this circumstance," Alderden said.

 

[vettechick99]

I wish I could post a photo for you, but I don't think she would give me the okay.. A year ago she became a young widow - her DH passed away from thyroid cancer.. She's been having a real tough time of it..

I'm so sorry. That has to be so hard for her.

So we were right - a hoax! What a creep that guy is.