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 Pokémon trading cards.
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, November 6, following reports of an unattended child. ([foxcarolina.com](https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/11/06/police-man-left-daughter-sleeping-outside-target-hold-spot-pokmon-cards/?utm_source=openai))
Customers had gathered outside the store ahead of the release of a new Pokémon card set. Witnesses told officers that Dooley gave his daughter a pillow and blanket shortly after 1am before leaving her alone and asleep in the queue.
After about an hour without seeing the girl’s father return, concerned shoppers contacted police. Dooley later came back to the store and was identified by witnesses, according to the Charleston Police Department.
Police said Dooley told detectives he had gone home but left his daughter in the queue so he could keep his place and avoid missing the opportunity to buy the cards. Authorities have not said whether he intended to purchase them for himself or his daughter.
The child was not injured and was placed into emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, police said. Dooley was taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center.
He faces a charge of unlawful conduct towards a child. A judge set his bond at $40,000, and his initial court appearance is scheduled for December 18, 2026. ([lawandcrime.com](https://lawandcrime.com/crime/dad-left-6-year-old-sleeping-in-line-outside-target-to-hold-place-for-new-pokemon-cards-while-he-went-home-police/amp/?utm_source=openai))
