[GoldStandard]

Why is Drudge this article claiming the incident as a Hoax?

Because it was?

[TexasCajun]

The boy's father, Richard Heene, said the family was tinkering with the balloon earlier in the day and that he scolded Falcon for getting inside a compartment on the craft.

After the balloon floated away, the boy apparently fled to the family's garage, climbing a pole into the rafters and hiding in a cardboard box

Boy found safe after experimental balloon drifts off

If true, how is the incident a hoax? ...intentional deception.