Colo. balloon boy parents extend bids for balloon

[June 14, 2011]  FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) -- The former Colorado couple who told authorities their son floated away in a silver helium balloon say they're reopening the auction for the balloon because of low and fraudulent bids.

The auction website says Monday that Richard and Mayumi Heene (HEE'-nee) are extending the auction until Friday.

The Heenes announced the auction June 1 and suggested a bid of $1 million. Their attorney says all proceeds would benefit earthquake and tsunami recovery in Japan.

The delay was reported in The Coloradoan.

Authorities chased the UFO-shaped balloon in October 2009, but the 6-year-old boy wasn't inside. He was later found at home, and authorities accused the Heenes of staging a hoax to promote possible reality TV shows.

Both parents served time in jail, and the family later moved to Bradenton, Fla.

[Associated Press]

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