By Peter Bowes, Los Angeles

媒體英語會帶大家一起學習BBC撰稿人在報道世界大事時常用到的單詞和短語。

前不久數百萬美國人的目光都被電視機里播放的新聞吸引住了，一只熱氣球失控被吹走了。人們都以為這個熱氣球里還載著一個小男孩。結果后來被發現小男孩原來一直都躲在家里沒有任何危險。現在小男孩的父母將面臨刑事起訴。

Millions of Americans were transfixed by the live TV coverage of a helium balloon shaped like a flying saucer, hurtling through the air in Colorado. The Heene family said their six-year-old son was trapped in the balloon.

But when it was discovered that the boy had been hiding at home and the family had a track record of appearing on reality TV, people became suspicious.

At one point the boy blurted out on television that they'd done it for a show. Now, after interviewing the family members individually, the police say it was a hoax, and the sheriff Ernie Hudson explained:

The police said the boy’s parents were in fact actors and they'd put on a very good show, fooling everyone.

The authorities have said their investigation is still ongoing and that other parties, including some elements of the media, may have had knowledge of the stunt.

The parents now face criminal charges, including conspiracy and filing a false police report. If eventually found guilty, they could get a large fine and several years in jail.