I would agree that his parents are not the most normal people in the world. The balloon was there because the boy's father chases storms because a tornado ripped a roof off his house several years ago. According to one of the articles, he's got some theory he's trying to prove. The box the boy got into was made to carry instruments.

Still, it doesn't warrant jail. Six year olds can do dangerous things because they don't recognize the danger. You can try and teach them but even if they listen and even if they understand and even if they decide you're right you might miss something.

I told my kids about the danger of running into the street but I don't recall telling either of my kids that they shouldn't take the car keys and try to drive the car. I told them not to stick anything in the electrical socket but I don't recall telling them not to unscrew the cover to the socket. I told them not to play in refrigerators that were waiting for trash pickup but I don't recall telling them not to get in the oven.

Anyone's six year old can find something to do that will kill them. Fortunately most don't. Jailing the parents of those that do is not the answer.