Sinkhole opens in Charlotte family's backyard

A massive sinkhole that formed in a family's backyard will cost more than $20,000 to repair, a homeowner said.

Sheilah Jones said the sinkhole started about 10 days ago when she noticed a small hole in her backyard. By Christmas, the sinkhole had widened significantly and was deep enough that a child could fall inside.

Jones said the City of Charlotte's Storm Water Services Department originally told her they would fix it but changed their minds.

"I was told on Dec. 20 they were gonna fix everything the hole, the leak, everything," Jones said.

Jones said, in the end, the city decided not to manage the repair because it was too much work. Local news stations reached out to the City of Charlotte to confirm her statement.