STALLINGS, NC (WBTV) – A Union County mother’s frightening experience Sunday night at Stallings Municipal Park turned out to be a misunderstanding, according to local police.

The woman posted in a parents’ group urging others to be vigilant after the incident.

She said the drivers of a green van appeared to need a jump start. When she called her husband to help them, the men quickly closed the hood and left the parking lot. She wondered why they had enlisted her help.

She reported the incident to Stallings Police and shared her experience on social media, raising concerns among other parents.

The incident sparked an investigation by local authorities, which included a review of surveillance footage, but after careful review, police concluded it was a misunderstanding.

Stallings Deputy Police Chief James Perry told WBTV that the drivers in the van arrived at the park with their children in the early afternoon. He said after playing at the playground for a few hours, they returned to the car and it is clear in the video that their vehicle would not start.

Perry said the footage showed the family trying to start their car for nearly an hour before finally getting help and driving away. Perry also said he could understand how such a misunderstanding could occur in a large parking lot, but wanted to reassure the public that there was nothing evil or strange to be afraid of.

He said the park was safe and defended the mother who made the original post, saying she saw something that bothered her and reported it to police – something he hoped anyone in a similar situation would do.

Officers have contacted the woman to inform her of their findings and encourage anyone with concerns to contact them.

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