Father Accused of Leaving 6-Year-old at Target for Pokémon Card Line Spot

WHO:

NY Post - John-Michael Dooley, 35, was identified by police as the father who left his 6-year-old daughter outside a Target.

NBC News - Police identified Dooley as a resident of Johns Island, South Carolina.

NBC News - Charleston Police Department officers responded to the report of an unattended child.

NBC News - Witnesses and other customers called police and later identified Dooley.

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

NBC News - Dooley was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child and held at the Al Cannon Detention Center. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

WHAT:

NY Post - Police said Dooley left his daughter sleeping outside Target to keep his place in line for Pokémon trading cards.

NBC News - Police said Dooley admitted he had gone home and left his daughter unattended to hold his place in line.

NBC News - The girl was found alone; police said she was unharmed.

NBC News - The new Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, “Mega Evolution — Delta Reign,” went on sale. Packs start at around $5.

WHERE:

NY Post - The incident occurred outside a Target in Charleston.

NBC News - The Target was in Charleston’s West Ashley neighborhood.

WHEN:

NY Post - Dooley left his daughter outside the store at 1 a.m. Friday.

TMZ - Dooley was arrested on Nov. 6.

NBC News - Officers responded around 2:30 a.m.; police said witnesses reported that Dooley had left the girl after 1 a.m. and that about an hour passed before customers called police.

WHY:

NY Post - Police said Dooley left his daughter there to save his spot in line for Pokémon cards.

NBC News - Police said numerous customers had gathered overnight for the release of the new card set; the police release did not say whether Dooley intended to buy the cards for himself or his daughter.

HOW:

NBC News - Witnesses told police Dooley gave his daughter a pillow and blanket before leaving her asleep in line.

NBC News - After Dooley returned to the store, witnesses identified him and he was arrested.

(UPDATED November 8, 2026 04:56 UTC)

Police say a father left his six-year-old daughter outside a Charleston Target to hold his place in line for Pokémon cards. The girl was unharmed, placed in emergency protective custody, and her father was arrested and charged. Witnesses said he left her asleep with a pillow and blanket while customers awaited the card release.