A South Carolina father has been arrested after allegedly leaving his six-year-old daughter asleep outside a Target store overnight to hold his place in a queue for a new Pokémon trading card release.
John-Michael Dooley, 35, of Johns Island, was taken into custody after Charleston police were called to the retailer in the West Ashley area at about 2.30am on Friday, 6 November.
Officers found the girl alone among customers who had gathered outside ahead of the launch of a new Pokémon Trading Card Game set. Witnesses said Dooley had given his daughter a pillow and blanket at about 1am before leaving her sleeping in the queue.
After about an hour without his return, concerned customers contacted the police. Dooley later came back to the store and was identified by people who had been waiting in line.
Father charged after leaving daughter in Pokémon card queue
Police said Dooley told detectives that he had gone home but left his daughter outside so he could keep his position and avoid missing the chance to buy the cards.
The child was not injured and was placed into emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
Dooley has been charged with unlawful conduct towards a child and was taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center. Court records cited by local reports show that bail was set at $40,000.
The allegation has not been tested in court. Dooley is due to appear before a judge in December.
