The sheriff of Larimer County Colorado has just held a press conference in which he has confirmed that this was a hoax and a publicity stunt. The father did stage this, it turns out he was an actor in California before he moved to Colorado and this is part of a plot to promote a new TV show.

There have been two former 911 calls to this location. The first was determined to be an accident when a child called the number, the second was a possible domestic violence case but no charges were filed. In this case the investigation shows that they did call a television station and the FAA around the same time that they called 911 but it is not clear in what order.

In what sounds to be quite suspicious, the police examined the balloon and obtained information provided by Mr. Heene about the makeup of the box they ran information by a professor of physics at Colorado State and initially determined that the balloon could have launched with the child inside. However once they recovered the box it was determined he had provided false information and the object was 18 pounds heavier. With this weight factored in the figures show it was NOT possible for the balloon to launch.

He also stated that at the time of the event they did have some suspicions about the story but since it involved the danger of the death of a child they did not want to take a chance. In addition the family seemed quite willing to cooperate with the investigation. However a review of the facts now show it was a hoax.

Like most of us the point where the authorities determined it was clear that this was a fraud was the moment on CNN where the child said ‘we did this for the show’. They knew at that point based on the same verbal and non verbal clues that we all saw that it was likely a fraud but needed proof. It was for this reason that they pretended to not believe that it was fake.

The sheriff has cited state laws that prohibit the police from discussing specific things like polygraph exams, confessions, etc so that part of the story will not be discussed. However he can say they had sufficient evidence to get search warrants for computers, recordings, phone records, contracts for reality TV shows, etc. Sure seems like a big wink and nod.

Formal charges have not yet been filed but they are planning to file them. My guess is that they are trying to find a way to charge them with more than a slap on the wrist kind of charge for false reports. He has cited 1) conspiracy, 2) false reporting, 3) contributing to delinquency of a minor and 4) deception of a public authority. Some of these are felonies.

They also may look at charges relating relating to the dangers posed by the balloon but they can’t charge under state laws but they may be able to do so under federal law and will meet with the FBI and FAA.

They will also look to restitution for the cost of the incident.

I feel horrible for those poor kids. How lousy can you be to do this with your children ?

Reports now circulating that the ACLU may represent them in the case ? Seems odd to me.