Stoughton, MA – An Amber Alert issued for two children out of Stoughton has been cancelled after the children were found safe.

The alert was issued on Tuesday evening for 1-year-old Kaleb Ribeiro and 3-year-old Skylar Ribeiro after their mother, 31-year-old Christine Ribeiro, allegedly left the children alone in a car while she went into a liquor store.

Witnesses reported seeing Ribeiro leaving the children in the car around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. When she returned to the car approximately 15 minutes later, the children were gone.

“We immediately launched an extensive search for the children,” said Stoughton Police Chief Gregory Enos. “We were very concerned for their safety.”

The search involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Massachusetts State Police and the FBI. The search was also aided by volunteers and the public.

Just before midnight, the children were found safe in a wooded area near the liquor store. They were unharmed but had been exposed to the cold for several hours.

“We are so relieved that the children have been found safe,” said Chief Enos. “We want to thank everyone who assisted in the search.”

Ribeiro has been arrested and charged with reckless endangerment of a child.

Amber Alerts are issued when a child is abducted or is at risk of being abducted. The alerts are disseminated through a variety of channels, including television, radio, and social media.

The Amber Alert system has been credited with helping to recover over 1,000 children since its inception in 1996.

The cancellation of the Amber Alert out of Stoughton is a reminder of the importance of reporting missing children immediately. It is also a reminder that even a short amount of time can be dangerous for a child who is left alone.

The children found safe in Stoughton are now back with their family. The Amber Alert has been cancelled.