Man arrested for leaving sleeping daughter in line for Pokémon cards

A man was arrested in Charleston, South Carolina, after leaving his 6-year-old daughter asleep outside a Target store. Police responded to the scene after receiving a report of an unattended child.

Officers found the girl alone at the store around 2:30 a.m. in the West Ashley neighborhood. The father, identified as John-Michael Dooley, was later apprehended by authorities.

Dooley had left his daughter unattended after giving her a pillow and blanket. Witnesses told police he left her in line for the Pokémon card release sometime after 1 a.m.

Concerned customers called police after about an hour passed without Dooley’s return. When he came back to the store, he was identified by witnesses and arrested.

Dooley admitted to leaving his daughter unattended so he could keep his place in line. The child was unharmed and placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

Dooley was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child and is being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center. He could not be reached for comment at the time of the report.