DAD LEFT SLEEPING 6-YEAR-OLD ALONE TO BUY POKÉMON CARDS

A South Carolina father was arrested after he left his 6-year-old daughter sleeping alone outside a Target after 1 a.m. to hold his spot in line for a new set of Pokémon cards. Police charged John-Michael Dooley, 35, with unlawful conduct toward a child after customers realized the girl had been left unattended and called for help.

The incident happened early Friday, November 6, 2026, in the West Ashley neighborhood of Charleston. Numerous customers had camped out in front of the store overnight, waiting for the latest release for the bestselling Pokémon Trading Card Game.

The new set, titled “Mega Evolution — Delta Reign”, went on sale that morning, NBC News reported. The franchise, which centers on fictional creatures that players collect, train, and battle, has maintained massive popularity for decades, with some dedicated collectors buying Pokémon cards at high volumes.

Witnesses told police that sometime after 1 a.m., Dooley gave his daughter a blanket and a pillow. He then left the 6-year-old asleep in the line by herself.

After the girl had been alone for about an hour without her father returning, concerned customers called the police. Officers arrived at the store around 2:30 a.m. and found the child unattended.

Dooley eventually returned to the Target, where witnesses identified him to the officers on the scene. Police immediately arrested him. In a news release, the Charleston Police Department said Dooley admitted to detectives that he went home while leaving his daughter unattended so he could keep his place in line and avoid missing the opportunity to purchase the cards.

The girl was unharmed. Authorities placed her in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

Dooley was transported to the Al Cannon Detention Center for processing. During a hearing later that day, a judge set his bond at $40,000, according to Law&Crime. His initial court appearance is scheduled for December 18, 2026, followed by a second appearance on April 16, 2027.