Saturday, November 7, 2026 - A South Carolina father has been arrested after allegedly leaving his six-year-old daughter alone outside a Target store in the middle of the night to secure his place in a queue for newly released Pokémon trading cards.
John-Michael Dooley, 35, from Johns Island, reportedly gave the little girl a pillow and blanket before leaving her sleeping outside the store in West Ashley, Charleston. The incident happened in the early hours of November 6, 2026, as excited collectors gathered overnight for the highly anticipated card release.
According to police, officers arrived at approximately 2:30 a.m. after receiving reports of an unattended child. Witnesses said Dooley had left sometime after 1 a.m. and failed to return for about an hour, prompting concerned customers to contact authorities.
When he eventually returned, witnesses identified him to police. Investigators said Dooley admitted that he had gone home, leaving his daughter behind to maintain his position in the queue and avoid missing the opportunity to purchase the cards. He was subsequently arrested and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child.
Fortunately, authorities confirmed that the six-year-old was not physically harmed. Following her father's arrest, she was placed in emergency protective custody with South Carolina's Department of Social Services.
Dooley was taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center, with reports indicating that his bond was set at $40,000. The incident has sparked conversations about parental responsibility and child safety, particularly as the popularity of collectible trading cards continues to attract large crowds during major releases.
What began as an attempt to secure sought-after merchandise has now turned into a serious legal matter.
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