VIDEO: Balloon Dad Breaks Silence - "I Knew He Was In The Craft"
Jan. 7 2010, Published 9:02 a.m. ET
And the Oscar goes to . . .
In his first interview since being sentenced in connection with the ‘Balloon Boy’ hoax, Richard Heene fights back tears and nearly hyperventilates in a taped exchange airing on Friday's edition of Larry King Live. During the interview, Heene says he "knew his son Falcon was in the craft" as the drama unfolded last October 15, when his homemade helium balloon soared 7,000 feet over eastern Colorado.
Balloon Boy Family Slammed With $42,000 Fine
Heene said he "searched the house high and low" in looking for his son that day.
VIDEO: Balloon Boy Dad's Bizarre Short Movie
"I knew he was in the craft in my mind, in my mind, cause I visualized him," Heene tells a concerned-looking King in a preview of the interview. "I yelled at him not to go in."
Balloon Boy Mom Admits Hoax Was Planned For Two Weeks
Heene said he only entered a guilty plea in connection with the incident to avoid the potential deportation of his wife, Mayumi, to her native Japan.
- 'Diddy' Heard for First Time Behind Bars During Emotional Birthday Call: Jailed Rapper Praises His Kids' 'Strength'
- Joe Exotic Dumps Fiancé: Caged Tiger King Star Proposed to 33-Year-Old Jailed Mexican Gangbanger Lover Behind Bars
- Tragic One Direction Singer Liam Payne Dead Aged 31 After Horror Hotel Balcony Plunge: Celeb Tributes Pour In as Images Emerge of Smashed Up Hotel Room Strewn With White Powder and 'Drugs Foil'
DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.
A worldwide audience watched the bizarre incident unfold; it was revealed during the dramatic incident that the boy's family had gained a taste of fame on the ABC reality show Wife Swap.
Friday’s Larry King Live, featuring the interview with Richard Heene, airs at 9pm ET/6pm PT.