A father has been arrested after leaving his sleeping six-year-old daughter alone in a queue to buy Pokémon cards. John-Michael Dooley, 35, left his child outside a Target store in Charleston, South Carolina, police said. He gave her a pillow and blanket and left her among other people waiting for the latest expansion of the trading card game.
'Mega Evolution — Delta Reign' went on sale on Friday, with fans gathering the night before in anticipation of buying the packs, which started from $5 (£3.70).
Police Respond to Reports of Unattended Child
The Charleston Police Department said in a press release that they responded to reports of an unattended child on November 6, 2026. 'When they arrived, officers learned that the child had been waiting in line with her father, later identified as John-Michael Dooley, 35,' the statement continued.
Witnesses told officers that Dooley had left his daughter asleep sometime after 1am. After approximately an hour passed without his return, worried customers contacted the police.
Father Confesses to Leaving Child
Police said witnesses identified Dooley to police when he returned, and he was arrested. Dooley later confessed that he had returned home and left his daughter on her own 'so he could maintain his place in line and avoid missing the opportunity to purchase the cards.'
The child was not harmed and was placed into emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services. Dooley was later charged with Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child.
