South Carolina father arrested for leaving daughter outside Target overnight

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Nov, 18:32 · Archive

A South Carolina father was arrested after leaving his sleeping 6-year-old daughter alone outside a Target store in line for Pokémon cards.

John-Michael Dooley, 35, from Johns Island, South Carolina, left his 6-year-old daughter sleeping in line outside a Target store in the West Ashley neighbourhood of Charleston around 1 a.m. on Friday. He gave her a pillow and blanket before leaving her alone amongst other customers who were waiting overnight for a new Pokémon card release, according to police.

After approximately one hour passed without Dooley's return, concerned members of the public contacted the Charleston Police Department around 2:30 a.m. Officers arrived at the store and found the child unharmed, waiting in line with other customers. Witnesses identified Dooley to police when he eventually returned to the store, and he was arrested at the scene.

When questioned, Dooley confessed that he had returned home while his daughter remained outside the Target. He stated he had done this so he could maintain his place in line and avoid missing the opportunity to purchase the Pokémon cards. The new 'Mega Evolution – Delta Reign' set had gone on sale that Friday, with card packs starting from around $5.

Dooley was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child. According to the Independent World, he was released from custody following his arrest, with his court date set for 12 December.

The child was not harmed and was placed into emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The overnight release of new Pokémon trading cards sparked long queues outside Target stores across the United States, with dedicated collectors camping outside stores to secure packs.

How it is being reported

• Dad arrested for allegedly using his 6-year-old to save place in line for Pokémon cards while he went homeConcerned strangers called the police after the child was allegedly left alone for an hourIndependent World · 9 Nov, 18:27
• Dad arrested after leaving his daughter, six, asleep in line for new Pokémon cardsThe new Pokémon cards sparked long queues outside US stores (Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images) A father has been arrested after he left his sleeping six-year-old daughter to hold his spot in a line to buy Pokémon cards. John-Michael Dooley, 35, left his child alone outside a Target shop in…Metro · 8 Nov, 11:58
• SC dad left sleeping daughter, 6, outside Target at 1 a.m. to save his spot in line for Pokémon cards: copsJohn-Michael Dooley, 35, left his 6-year-old daughter sleeping outside a Target in Charleston at 1 a.m. Friday in line for Pokémon trading cards, police said.New York Post · 8 Nov, 03:00

In this story: John-Michael Dooley · Charleston · Target · South Carolina · South Carolina Department of Social Services · Charleston Police Department

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