In a troubling incident in South Carolina, a father has been arrested after abandoning his 6-year-old daughter outside a Target store while waiting in line for a coveted Pokémon card release. The event unfolded early Friday morning in Charleston’s West Ashley neighborhood, where police received a report about an unattended child.
Authorities arrived at the scene around 2:30 a.m. to find the girl sleeping alone outside the store. The father, identified as 35-year-old John-Michael Dooley from Johns Island, reportedly left the child with a pillow and blanket after placing her in line. Witnesses stated that he departed to ensure he would not miss the opportunity to purchase the newly released Pokémon cards.
The latest expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, titled “Mega Evolution — Delta Reign,” had drawn numerous fans eager to secure their copies, leading to long lines outside the store. The packs retail for approximately $5 each, and it remains unclear if Dooley intended to buy them for himself or for his daughter.
After an hour passed with no sign of Dooley, concerned shoppers alerted the police, who later arrested him upon his return. He admitted to leaving his daughter unattended, leading to charges of unlawful conduct toward a child. The girl was unharmed and placed into emergency protective custody by the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
Dooley is currently held at the Al Cannon Detention Center, with no immediate comment from him regarding the situation. This incident raises significant concerns about parental responsibility and the safety of children in public spaces, especially during events that draw large crowds.
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