Suffolk police on Monday arrested a man who allegedly left his three children — all under the age of 5 — at home while he purchased marijuana.

Lennell Holloman, 27, is charged with possession of marijuana and three felony counts of abuse and neglect of children, according to city spokeswoman Debbie George.

George said that on Monday, an officer on patrol observed a possible narcotics transaction in the 2500 block of East Washington Street. The officer conducted an investigation and allegedly found Holloman in possession of 12 baggies of marijuana.

As he was being taken into custody, Holloman advised the officer he needed to make a phone call because he left his children alone while he went to purchase the marijuana, George said.

Police checked Holloman’s residence and found the three children, ages 1, 3 and 4, unattended.

He was released from Western Tidewater Regional Jail Tuesday morning on a $5,000 bond.

Child Protective Services is investigating the incident, George said.