South Carolina dad arrested after allegedly leaving daughter in line for Pokémon cards: Police

Father Charged South Carolina dad arrested after allegedly leaving daughter in line for Pokémon cards: Police Police said the father left his 6-year-old daughter sleeping outside a Target. By Shafiq Najib Sunday, November 8, 2026 10:53PM Watch ABC News live news stream and get 24/7 latest, breaking news coverage, and live video. A South Carolina father was arrested after allegedly leaving 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, police said. John-Michael Dooley, 35, of Johns Island, was arrested Friday after officers responded to a report of an unattended child outside a Target store in Charleston's West Ashley neighborhood around 2:30 a.m., according to the Charleston Police Department. Police said numerous customers had gathered outside the store overnight in anticipation of the new Pokémon card release. Witnesses told police that Dooley gave his daughter a pillow and blanket before leaving her asleep in line sometime after 1 a.m. After approximately an hour passed without his return, concerned customers contacted police. When Dooley returned to the store, witnesses identified him to officers, and he was arrested, according to police. NVIDIA announces investigation of CEO amid foreign intelligence target allegations Toddler killed in 2-car crash near Apple's headquarters in Cupertino ID'd by coroner's office 6 killed, 15 injured in shooting in Polish city of Krakow, police say During an interview with detectives, Dooley admitted that he had returned home, leaving his daughter unattended so he could maintain his place in line and avoid missing the opportunity to purchase the cards, police said. The girl 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 and has since been released from custody, a Charleston Police Department spokesperson told ABC News, citing information from the Charleston County Sheriff's Office website. A Target spokesperson told ABC News on background that the store was closed at the time of the incident and said the company would cooperate with law enforcement in its investigation. Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 ABC News Internet Ventures. Related Topics SOUTH CAROLINA FATHER CHARGED POKEMON TARGET CHILD ENDANGERMENT U.S. & WORLD Father arrested after 4-year-old fatally shoots himself in face in South Texas, sheriff's office says SJ man sentenced to 25 years-to-life for killing infant daughter: DA Motive sought in fatal shooting of 8 children | Timeline of massacre Father arrested in death of son swept away by California floodwaters Live Streams ON NOW NVIDIA announces investigation of CEO Toddler killed in crash near Apple's headquarters in Cupertino ID'd 6 killed, 15 injured in shooting in Polish city of Krakow, police say CA's Great America in Santa Clara announces when it will shut down 49ers capitalize on 5 2nd-half takeaways to cruise past Raiders 38-17 $4M SF home raided in squatting investigation SF residents scoop up free sandbags ahead of predicted El Niño storms UFC's Dana White, Trump to meet over White House press secretary offer