Father accused of leaving daughter sleeping outside Target to hold spot for Pokémon cards, police say

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) - A man in South Carolina is accused of leaving his 6-year-old daughter sleeping in line outside a Target store to hold his place for a Pokémon card release.

John-Michael Dooley, 35, is charged with unlawful conduct toward a child.

Charleston officers responded to the West Ashley store around 2:30 a.m. Friday after receiving a report of an unattended child.

Customers had gathered outside overnight for the release of a new Pokémon trading card set.

Witnesses told police that sometime after 1 a.m., Dooley gave his daughter a pillow and blanket before leaving her asleep in line.

After he had been gone for about an hour, concerned customers called police.

When Dooley returned to the store, witnesses identified him, and he was arrested.

Dooley allegedly told detectives he had gone home and left his daughter at the store to maintain his place in line.

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