US parents in bizarre 'balloon boy' hoax granted pardon

[turbinetree]

Published December 24, 2020
Written by Agence France-Presse

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Two Colorado parents jailed for falsely claiming their six-year-old son Falcon had floated away in a homemade balloon shaped like a flying saucer have been granted pardons by the western US state's governor.

Richard and Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty in 2009 to the "balloon boy" hoax, which became a worldwide media sensation with millions watching live as the silver helium balloon drifted through the skies for 70 miles (110 kilometers).

The October 2009 incident ended after five hours when the grounded balloon was found to be empty and Falcon emerged from a hiding place at the family home.

The husband and wife, accused by prosecutors of plotting to use the publicity to land the family their own reality television series, were pardoned Wednesday by Governor Jared Polis.

https://www.rawstory.com/us-parents-in-bizarre-balloon-boy-hoax-granted-pardon/

[onenote]

4. Is Jared Polis a grifter? Why do you think so?

[tonedevil]

6. The Balloon Boy parents?

I don't think you get to pretend your child was swept away in a balloon and ride that into fame without earning the moniker grifter.

[Dave Starsky]

8. What disturbed me most about that whole episode was that poor kid...

LITERALLY throwing up on camera--repeatedly!--after he'd inadvertently given up the game and was asked by the press about it. Now he claims he has no memory of the whole thing and doesn't want to talk about it.

Has always made me wonder what would make a kid that frightened of his nut-job parents.

[MustLoveBeagles]

20. I think it was more fear of his father

Something about that man isn't right. He's had years of couching by his parents and is in deep denial. I feel so sorry for him. This incident probably caused him permanent emotional damage. I think there were also allegations of abuse by the father against his wife. It wouldn't surprise me at all if that was true.

[shrike3]

14. My husband called it as soon as I opened up the story for him.

He said, "There is no way a helium-filled balloon at that altitude would be carrying a six-year-old boy." Sort of ruined the suspense for me. Sort of.

I remember when the family was interviewed. That poor child looked exhausted.

[Celerity]

10. Jared Polis, who issued the pardon, is the Democratic Governor of Colorado

[Celerity]

13. there was no question asked, you were reply number one, straight to the OP

that is what I replied to

[tonedevil]

16. Fine I shouldn't try to comment when I'm also at work.

[BadDog40]

2. I don't know what Polis was thinking

These clowns don't even live in Colorado anymore and the guy is a complete narcissist. Anyone see them on Wife Swap?

[liberalla]

7. all I can say is "Why?"

why would he pardon them?

[meadowlander]

9. Sympathy for other publicity whores?

Alternately, bribery. Let's see how the indictments shape up.

Just from memory that whole thing was like 10 years ago and they got ridiculously short custodial sentences - like less than six months with alternate weeks off so the kids didn't have to go into foster care of something like that.

What's the point of pardoning someone who's been out of jail for almost a decade and probably isn't even on probation anymore?

[Celerity]

11. Jared Polis, who issued the pardon, is the Democratic Governor of Colorado

[Kingofalldems]

17. Wow, twice in one thread.

[meadowlander]

18. Rod Blagojevich was a Democrat too. What's your point?

A nonsense, potentially corrupt pardon is still a nonsense, potentially corrupt pardon no matter what the party of the person granting it.

[Celerity]

21. You literally called Polis, the Democratic Governor of CO either a bribe taker or a publicity whore.

Now you double down on it.

This place is bonkers and you are smearing a a great Democratic Governor.

SMDH

[meadowlander]

22. What's your explanation for pardoning balloon boy's parents ten years after they've already served

their sentences?

You know, the point of this thread.

[Celerity]

23. I am sure there is a valid reason and will wait to hear it. I will never smear a sitting Dem

Governor out of hand based off a theory(s) with zero evidence to back it up.

[shrike3]

15. I agree. Odd choice to make. n/t

[Takket]

3. i'm curious why they are more worthy of having their record clearded than any other criminal?

[Blue Owl]

5. Diarrhea Donny has really set the tone with this whole pardon thing

Plenty of hot air to go around...