AUTHORITIES investigating the family accused of perpetrating the balloon boy hoax to promote a reality show said yesterday they don’t expect to bring possible charges until at least next week.

Police searched the home of the parents of Colorado’s “balloon boy” early today after the sheriff said he was pursuing criminal charges.

THE father of a 6-year-old boy who was thought to be in a helium balloon that floated away and was pursued by military helicopters said yesterday accusations that the ordeal was a publicity stunt are “extremely pathetic”.

The father of a boy feared to have been carried away in a balloon today angrily denied the drama which gripped millions was a publicity stunt.