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Update: Mother of three children found abandoned at gas station on Cleveland's east side has been found

Police say the children were alone in the car for about an hour.

CLEVELAND — The mother of three children found abandoned at gas station of Cleveland's east side has been located. 

Cleveland police launched an investigation Monday morning after a man reportedly parked a car outside a gas station on the city's east side and abandoned three children there.

Police say preliminary information indicates the man drove a vehicle with three children inside to the Sunoco at E. 131st Street and Harvard Avenue around 8 a.m. The man reportedly left on foot an hour and a half later, leaving the children behind. Police did not say what the man or children did during that hour and a half while at the gas station.

The children were discovered alone inside the car about an hour after the man left.

Police say the children and their mother were all reported missing out of Maple Heights, though their mother, 27-year-old Tomeeka Pope, was located several hours after the children were found. 

Police provided the update on Pope's whereabouts just before 11:30 p.m.

Credit: Maple Heights Police Department

The children were taken to University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, where the Department of Children and Family Services will decide where to place them.

Police have not confirmed charges against the man who left the children at the gas station, nor have they released his name.

Stay with 3News as more information becomes available. 

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