The first I knew of the incident was a item on Netscape that said one of the boy's brothers said the kid was on the balloon but that later he was found "in a box in the attic." My first impression, therefore, was that 2 older brothers had talked little brother into a prank. I mean, what 6-year-old climbs into an attic to hide in a box on his own? For one thing, most 6-year-olds would have a mis-step between the rafters and come crashing down.

Today I hear the parents--at least the dad--was present when the balloon was launched. If parents are so involved in launching a balloon that they can't account for the whereabouts of their kids, then maybe Social Services should investigate the safety of those minors. Even Ma and Pa Kettle kept better track of their much bigger brood than that.

 Personally, I don't believe the tale--this is a family with a taste for "reality" TV. I think they were just trying to get their ticket punched for additional appearances, maybe raise money for their "storm-chaser" adventures. Apparently it worked--they appeared on 3 news shows in one day, plus got video on the internet.