Police: Call for help became social media firestorm.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Lexington police say video surveillance caught on camera what was believed to be an attempted abduction, but was not.

Monday afternoon, someone at Virginia Hylton Park in the Town of Lexington, called police to report an attempted abduction. When police arrived on scene they determined that was not the case.

Instead, police say a toddler wandered away from the park and a citizen saw the child then returned them to the park in hopes of finding their parents.

But, police say, that story was turned around on Facebook.

“The story from yesterday had basically just been blown out of proportion,” says Lieutenant Carroll Bledsoe, Lexington Police Department

Police say thanks to social media, a rumor that an abduction had occurred in the park, caused panic.

“Just people sharing with their friends and then there friends,” says Bledsoe

The posts on Facebook had some raising concerns about the park’s safety, but with it being located just behind the police department and emergency call boxes in teh area, authorities say it’s one of the safest parks in town.

But, it does raise awareness about what parents need to keep in mind.

“Make sure that you can see your child and not only focus on your child, but other children. Because, another parent may not be as visible as you are,” says Corporal Doug Lee, Lexington Police Department’s Community Action Team.

Authorities also suggest making sure your child knows their name, their parent’s full name, a parent’s telephone number and 911.

Because police say, “good samaritans” aren’t always around.

Police say the Facebook posts about the incident have since been taken down.

The child involved in the case was returned to their parent safely.