They didn't lose a child, and if the knew that all along, should pay for the time and fuel wasted chasing after that balloon, and backtracking the route, searching for the kid, after the balloon turned up empty.

You're basing your criticism of the police on the fact you don't believe it was a scam, but you don't know. Neither do the cops, but there is enough evidence to question it, so they should.

They searched JonBenet Ramsey's house too, and discovered she was murdered there, not kidnapped.

I'm basing it the sheriff's initial reaction that it wasn't a hoax, but you're right, I don't know. I'm just trying to imagine this conversation: Okay, buddy, I want you to pretend to steal the balloon, and pretend to fall out, but I really want you to hide in the attic. And then you have to lie when the reporters show up, and oh yeah, you have to lie to your brother, too, so he can be convincing when the cops show up. You got all that? Can I trust you to do this? You'll be sent to bed without supper if you don't lie to the cops.

Pretty genius 6 year old to pull this off.

There are plenty of kids who get lost. Would parents hesitate to call the police if they are made to pay for rescue services if the kid finds his way home again? This is wrong.

Sounds like a hot tasty scam now.

If a child is really missing, I don't think most parents would give a rat's ass what the possible costs are to get them back. They'd want to do anything and everything, to get their baby back.... babyback, babyback, babyback, babyback :yum:

if so, then perhaps they should face charges. I just worry about the boy who cried wolf syndrome.

But not quite genius enough. Why didn't he come out of the attic? His words: "Um...You guys said that...um...we did this for the show." You know, the reality TV show deal that the parents have been trying to get...since long before they cooked up this balloon scam. And then, when their kid was supposedly floating away, called the TV stations before they called 911.

well, I'm disappointed.

In what? How low people will go to get their 15 minutes of fame?

that the kids were involved in this scheme

The news report I heard said it was a hoax. They didn't even bother with the word "alleged".

Why does this crap always happen in my town?

My sister in law drove by their house. They live right next to where I went to elementary school.

I don't case- why don't you tell us? :p

What can I say...the crazies just like me. :)

"I told them you were living downtown, driving all the old men crazy"
Anything you want to tell us Case?