The Heene family gained public attention in 2009 when they were involved in a widely publicized incident involving a homemade balloon. The family, consisting of parents Richard and Mayumi Heene and their three children, claimed that their six-year-old son, Falcon, had floated away in a helium-filled balloon. This event sparked a massive search and media frenzy. Later, it was revealed that Falcon was never in the balloon and had been hiding at home. The incident led to legal consequences for the Heenes, including charges of conspiracy and filing a false report. The family became known for their reality TV aspirations, including appearances on shows like Wife Swap.