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Two children found dead in a hot car after being locked in by their mother were killed by heatstroke, a coroner has ruled.

Cynthia Randolph, 25, is facing criminal charges over the tragic deaths of daughter Juliet, two, and 16-month-old Cavanaugh.

She initially told officers the pair "took off" and by the she found them they had locked themselves in her car.

But police in Weatherford, Texas, say her story quickly unraveled and she later revealed the horrifying truth.

Juliet had refused to get out the car when the family had returned from a trip and Cynthia decided to lock both in to 'teach them a lesson'.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: GoFund Me)

Cynthia then went off and smoked marijuana and took a nap for two to three hours.

In a police interview, Cynthia said she believed the pair would eventually get out the car when they were ready.

Temperatures outside had hit 35 degrees when the events unfolded on May 26.

(Image: Reuters) (Image: Reuters)

When she returned the children were unresponsive.

Cynthia called emergency services but also smashed a car window in an effort to support her story.

(Image: Reuters) (Image: Reuters)

Now a coroner has ruled that Julet and Cavanaugh died from heatstroke and ruled both deaths a homicide.

Cynthia Randolph was charged with two counts of first-degree injury to a child causing serious bodily injury on June 23.

It remains unclear whether the charges will be upgraded in light of the medical examiner's report.