South Carolina father arrested after leaving sleeping daughter in Pokémon card line

A South Carolina man was arrested after police say he left 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.

Officers responded to the Target in Charleston’s West Ashley neighborhood around 2:30 a.m. after receiving a report of an unattended child, according to the Charleston Police Department. Police identified the father as John-Michael Dooley, 35, of Johns Island, South Carolina.

Customers had gathered outside the store overnight in anticipation of the release. The latest expansion for the best-selling Pokémon Trading Card Game, “Mega Evolution — Delta Reign,” went on sale Friday. Packs start at around $5.

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

When Dooley returned to the store, witnesses identified him and he was arrested, according to the release. Police said he admitted that he had gone home and left his daughter unattended so he could keep his place in line and avoid missing the opportunity to purchase the cards.

The child 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. He is being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center, according to the release. A Charleston Police Department spokesperson told ABC News that Dooley has since been released from custody, citing information from the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office website. His initial court appearance is set for Dec. 12, according to LiveNOW from FOX.

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

The release does not say whether Dooley intended to buy the cards for himself or his daughter. Dooley declined to discuss the allegations with NBC News in detail, citing advice from his attorney. He said media coverage has been inaccurate but did not specify what was wrong.

Sources

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