<p>Two Colorado parents jailed for falsely claiming their six-year-old son Falcon had floated away in a homemade balloon shaped like a flying saucer have been granted pardons by the western US state's governor.</p>.<p>Richard and Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty in 2009 to the "balloon boy" hoax, which became a worldwide media sensation with millions watching live as the silver helium balloon drifted through the skies for 70 miles (110 kilometers).</p>.<p>The October 2009 incident ended after five hours when the grounded balloon was found to be empty and Falcon emerged from a hiding place at the family home.</p>.<p>The husband and wife, accused by prosecutors of plotting to use the publicity to land a reality television series, were pardoned Wednesday by Governor Jared Polis.</p>.<p>"It's time to no longer let a permanent criminal record from the balloon boy saga follow and drag down the parents for the rest of their lives," wrote Polis in a statement, saying the pair had "paid the price in the eyes of the public."</p>.<p>Law enforcement's suspicions were inflated when Falcon let slip in a CNN television interview that the entire episode had been done "for the show."</p>.<p>The hoax was seemingly confirmed within 48 hours of the interview, when Japanese-born Mayumi Heene reportedly broke down under police questioning.</p>.<p>But the couple's lawyer told AFP Thursday they only pleaded guilty to stop her from being deported, and had genuinely feared their son was aboard the balloon.</p>.<p>"They regret not checking this all out more thoroughly, but it was a coerced guilty plea," said David Lane. "And I think that also influenced the governor."</p>.<p>He added: "I can now finally say the balloon-acy has ended."</p>.<p>Richard Heene, handed a 90-day sentence for trying to influence a public servant, now owns a small business and has contributed to his community "by researching and educating about extreme weather events," wrote Polis.</p>.<p>Mayumi Heene, sentenced to 20 days in jail for false reporting to authorities, has become a naturalized American citizen. The couple now live in Florida.</p>.<p>Falcon, now a teenager, went on to form a heavy metal band with his brothers, Ryo and Bradford, releasing a song titled "Balloon Boy, No Hoax" and an accompanying low-budget video featuring a mocked-up flying saucer.</p>
<p>Two Colorado parents jailed for falsely claiming their six-year-old son Falcon had floated away in a homemade balloon shaped like a flying saucer have been granted pardons by the western US state's governor.</p>.<p>Richard and Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty in 2009 to the "balloon boy" hoax, which became a worldwide media sensation with millions watching live as the silver helium balloon drifted through the skies for 70 miles (110 kilometers).</p>.<p>The October 2009 incident ended after five hours when the grounded balloon was found to be empty and Falcon emerged from a hiding place at the family home.</p>.<p>The husband and wife, accused by prosecutors of plotting to use the publicity to land a reality television series, were pardoned Wednesday by Governor Jared Polis.</p>.<p>"It's time to no longer let a permanent criminal record from the balloon boy saga follow and drag down the parents for the rest of their lives," wrote Polis in a statement, saying the pair had "paid the price in the eyes of the public."</p>.<p>Law enforcement's suspicions were inflated when Falcon let slip in a CNN television interview that the entire episode had been done "for the show."</p>.<p>The hoax was seemingly confirmed within 48 hours of the interview, when Japanese-born Mayumi Heene reportedly broke down under police questioning.</p>.<p>But the couple's lawyer told AFP Thursday they only pleaded guilty to stop her from being deported, and had genuinely feared their son was aboard the balloon.</p>.<p>"They regret not checking this all out more thoroughly, but it was a coerced guilty plea," said David Lane. "And I think that also influenced the governor."</p>.<p>He added: "I can now finally say the balloon-acy has ended."</p>.<p>Richard Heene, handed a 90-day sentence for trying to influence a public servant, now owns a small business and has contributed to his community "by researching and educating about extreme weather events," wrote Polis.</p>.<p>Mayumi Heene, sentenced to 20 days in jail for false reporting to authorities, has become a naturalized American citizen. The couple now live in Florida.</p>.<p>Falcon, now a teenager, went on to form a heavy metal band with his brothers, Ryo and Bradford, releasing a song titled "Balloon Boy, No Hoax" and an accompanying low-budget video featuring a mocked-up flying saucer.</p>