The mother of three young children allegedly left in a car for 12 hours by their father has thanked the 7-Eleven workers that helped her kids.
Police will allege the trio, aged three, five and six, were abandoned in a Hyundai, allegedly by their father.
He was allegedly intoxicated and went to a pub before catching an Uber and being arrested on unrelated charges in Slacks Creek.
"You see it all the time but you don't think it's ever gonna happen to you," the children's mother, who cannot be identified, said.
"It was horrible."
The children eventually got themselves out of the car and found a 7-Eleven worker to ask for help.
"Thank you for calling the police. Thank you for giving them food and something to drink and letting them use the toilet," the mother added.
Their discovery brought a major amber alert search to an end, which had involved emergency services, family, and members of the public desperate to help.
"Thank you. Thank you so much. We really appreciate it," the mum said.
The father's case was mentioned in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court today.
Prosecutors revealed the 27-year-old was already on bail at the time of alleged offending. His bail application was denied,
"It's unclear yet what's really happened yet and he's still presumed innocent of the charges," his lawyer said outside court.
The three children are recovering at home with their mum.
"They're physically OK, mentally I think is going to take a bit of time but they're doing well and we're just getting them the help that they need now," she said.
