A Colorado couple, Richard and Mayumi Heene, told authorities on Oct. 15 that they were certain their youngest child Falcon had crawled inside the helium balloon they built as a science experiment prior to its take-off.

The balloon sailed for two hours through the sky and travelled for 80 km. The six-year old was eventually found alive in the attic. "It has been determined that this was a hoax," Sheriff Jim Alderden said at a news conference in Fort Collins, Colo.

Police who have been investigating the incident have alleged it was a ploy to increase media attention, and that the Heenes were negotiating a reality show. No charges have been laid.

Publicity stunts to gain attention are nothing new. Here are some incidents that have caught media attention in recent years.