A Charleston, South Carolina, man was arrested Friday after leaving his 6-year-old daughter asleep outside a Target to hold his place in a Pokémon trading card release line, according to police.
Charleston police responded around 2:30 a.m. to the Target in West Ashley after a report of an unattended child, according to NBC News, and found the girl alone. Police identified the father as John-Michael Dooley, 35, of Johns Island, South Carolina.
Witnesses told police that Dooley gave the girl a pillow and blanket and left her asleep in line sometime after 1 a.m., according to NBC News. After about an hour without his return, customers called police. Police said Dooley admitted he went home and left his daughter unattended so he could keep his place in line, NBC News reported.
The child was unharmed and placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, according to the same police account. Dooley was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child and is held at the Al Cannon Detention Center.
The release was the latest expansion of the bestselling Pokémon Trading Card Game, "Mega Evolution — Delta Reign," which went on sale Friday. Packs start at around $5. Numerous customers had gathered outside the store overnight in anticipation of the release, according to police.
Dooley declined to discuss the allegations in detail on advice from his attorney. He said media coverage has been inaccurate but did not say how. He could not be reached for comment.
The key facts rely on a single outlet, NBC News, which relayed the police release; no independent second source or court record was provided. Police did not say whether Dooley intended to buy the cards for himself or his daughter, and Target has not been quoted in the sources.
The sources do not say when Dooley will appear in court or how the charge will proceed.
Sources
This article was written with AI assistance from the published reporting listed above. It is part of the World Brief daily news podcast.