Biggest Moments of 2009
Credit: ABC News
High on any list of greatest hoaxes of all time is sure to be the story of balloon boy. For hours, the world watched a huge silver balloon that was said to have 6-year-old Falcon Heene trapped inside. Falcon's parents, Richard and Mayumi Heene, called police Oct. 15, 2009, saying the boy was carried away in a homemade balloon that they had launched. Falcon was later found hiding in the attic of his family's Fort Collins, Colo., home. Sheriff Jim Alderden called the incident a hoax, and said the family orchestrated the whole affair as a publicity stunt. It is estimated that the balloon chase cost authorities $62,000. The Heenes pleaded guilty Nov. 13, 2009, to attempting to influence a public servant. A sentencing date was set for Dec. 23, 2009. (John Moore/Getty Images)
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