---
title: Father Arrested for Leaving Daughter Alone Outside Target for Pokémon Cards
canonical: https://charlestonfeed.com/father-arrested-for-leaving-daughter-alone-outside-target-for-pok-mon-cards/
published: '2026-11-09T00:02:33-05:00'
updated: '2026-11-09T00:02:33-05:00'
author: CharlestonFeed Staff
section: Charleston Police
tags:
- Crime
- Arrests
- Charleston Police
- Johns Island
- West Ashley
source: Charleston Police Department
source_url: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=1761
publisher: CharlestonFeed
attribution: Copyright CharlestonFeed. Quote with credit to CharlestonFeed and a link to the canonical URL above.
---

# Father Arrested for Leaving Daughter Alone Outside Target for Pokémon Cards

On November 6, 2026, Charleston Police arrested John-Michael Dooley, 35, after he left his six-year-old daughter sleeping in line outside a Target store. Dooley reportedly gave his daughter a pillow and blanket before abandoning her to maintain his place in line for the release of a new Pokémon trading card set.

Witnesses contacted police after Dooley failed to return for over an hour. The child was unharmed and placed into emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

---

### Press Release: Charleston Police Department

*Published November 6, 2026. Reproduced in full from the [Charleston Police Department](https://www.charleston-sc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=1761).*

#### Pokémon Cards Over Parenting: Father Arrested After Leaving Young Daughter Alone

**Charleston, S.C.,**  The Charleston Police Department arrested a 35-year-old man after he left his six-year-old daughter sleeping in line outside Target so he would not lose his place for the release of a new Pokémon trading card set.

On November 6, 2026, around 2:30 a.m., Officers responded to the West Ashley Target after receiving a report of an unattended child. When they arrived, officers learned that the child had been waiting in line with her father, later identified as John-Michael Dooley, 35, of Johns Island. Numerous customers had gathered outside the store overnight in anticipation of the release of a new Pokémon trading card set.

According to witnesses, sometime after 1:00 a.m., Dooley gave his daughter a pillow and blanket before leaving her asleep in line. After approximately an hour passed without his return, concerned customers contacted police.

When Dooley returned to the store, witnesses identified him to Officers and he was arrested. During an interview with detectives, Dooley admitted that he had returned home, leaving his daughter unattended so he could maintain his place in line and avoid missing the opportunity to purchase the cards.

The child was unharmed and placed into emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS).

Dooley is charged with Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child and is currently being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center.

Source: [Charleston Police Department](https://www.charleston-sc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=1761)