South Carolina Father Arrested After Leaving Sleeping Daughter in Pokémon Line
A South Carolina father was arrested after leaving his six-year-old sleeping daughter alone in a midnight queue outside a Charleston Target store to secure a spot for new Pokémon card releases.
A father from South Carolina was arrested after leaving his six-year-old sleeping daughter alone in line outside a Target store in Charleston in the middle of the night to secure a spot for new Pokémon card releases.
According to the Charleston Police Department, 35-year-old John-Michael Dooley of Johns Island arrived with his daughter at the West Ashley neighborhood store at approximately 1:00 AM on Friday. A large crowd had already gathered to wait for the cards. Dooley provided the sleeping child with a pillow and a blanket before leaving the area, abandoning her unattended in the queue.
More than an hour later, at around 2:30 AM, concerned bystanders alerted authorities. Dooley was taken into custody upon his return to the store. Police stated that he confessed to walking home and leaving his daughter behind "to hold his place and not miss the opportunity to purchase the cards."
Dooley faces charges of unlawful conduct toward a child and was booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center with bond set at 40,000 dollars. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 12. Investigators confirmed that the child was unharmed and has been placed in emergency protective custody with South Carolina social services.
New series of Pokémon cards, including "Mega Evolution – Delta Reign" and a 30th-anniversary collection, hit stores on Friday. Enthusiastic fans formed lines across the United States to acquire the packs, which start at approximately five dollars.
