South Carolina dad arrested after allegedly leaving daughter in line for Pokémon cards: Police

A South Carolina father was arrested after allegedly leaving his 6-year-old daughter sleeping outside a Target store to hold his place in line for the release of a new Pokémon trading card set, police said.

John-Michael Dooley, 35, of Johns Island, was arrested Friday after officers responded to a report of an unattended child outside a Target store in Charleston’s West Ashley neighborhood around 2:30 a.m., according to the Charleston Police Department.

Police said numerous customers had gathered outside the store overnight in anticipation of the new Pokémon card release.

Witnesses told police that Dooley gave his daughter a pillow and blanket before leaving her asleep in line sometime after 1 a.m. After approximately an hour passed without his return, concerned customers contacted police.

When Dooley returned to the store, witnesses identified him to officers, and he was arrested, according to police.

During an interview with detectives, Dooley admitted that he had returned home, leaving his daughter unattended so he could maintain his place in line and avoid missing the opportunity to purchase the cards, police said.

The girl was unharmed and placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, police said.

Dooley was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child and has since been released from custody, a Charleston Police Department spokesperson told News, citing information from the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office website.

A Target spokesperson told News on background that the store was closed at the time of the incident and said the company would cooperate with law enforcement in its investigation.