Father Arrested After Leaving Sleeping 6-Year-Old Daughter in Line for Pokémon Cards
ign.com Nov 9, 2026

Father Arrested After Leaving Sleeping 6-Year-Old Daughter in Line for Pokémon Cards

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A South Carolina father, 35‑year‑old John‑Michael Dooley, was arrested after leaving his six‑year‑old daughter asleep outside a Target in Charleston’s West Ashley district to keep his place in a line for a newly released Pokémon card set. Police arrived at roughly 2:30 a.m. after reports of an unattended child. Witnesses said Dooley gave the child a blanket and pillow after 1 a.m., then abandoned her for about an hour before returning and being taken into custody. He admitted to leaving the child unattended to hold his spot. He was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child; the girl was unharmed and placed in emergency protective custody. The incident occurred amid heightened excitement for the Pokémon TCG’s 30th‑anniversary release.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · The case underscores how intense collector hype can push parents to jeopardize child safety, prompting scrutiny of fan‑driven queuing practices.