The Heenes: Prettier than the Gosselins

Fort Collins, CO -- The mother of the 6-year-old boy who was feared to have floated away in a home-made helium balloon has reportedly broken down and confessed that the whole thing was a ruse so their family could be on TV again.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the family said Mayumi Heene divulged about the deception following "several Singapore Slings at a girls' night out" after her son Falcon was found safe and unharmed.

"She clearly had a little too much alcohol, and was very candid," said the source. "At one point she just burst into tears and told me they made everyone believe Falcon was on the balloon because they wanted so badly to be on TV again."

The Heene family was featured on two episodes of the reality televison show Wife Swap in 2008. Since then, the source said Mayumi and Richard Heene have been "obsessed and hell-bent" on getting some widespread attention again.

"I think deep down inside Richard and Mayumi are jealous of Jon & Kate Gosselin and want to have the same fame for themselves," the source disclosed. "And I don't blame them. They're a lovely family. They photograph well. Their children look ten times better than the Gosselin kids. So why can't they be on TV just like that other interracial family?"

Falcon Heene's disappearance after his father's helium balloon was accidentally set loose sparked a national uproar as authorities scoured the plains of northern Colorado for any signs of the youngster. The boy later showed up at their house and revealed that he hid in a space above their garage because his father had yelled at him.

During a live interview with CNN Thursday night, Falcon said he had heard his family calling his name but didn't come out of his hiding place because his father "had said that we did this for a show." The comment set off suspicion that the Heenes weren't being entirely truthful.

Richard Heene lambasted speculation that their ordeal was a hoax and dismissed his wife's alleged confession, saying that "she tends to mouth off silly things when she's intoxicated."

"I'm not selling anything. This is what we do all the time," he said. "Now if you'll excuse me, Oprah is calling."

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