Inset: John-Michael Dooley (Al Cannon Detention Center). Background: The Target where Dooley allegedly left his 6-year-old daughter alone to hold his place in line for Pokemon cards (Google Maps).
A 35-year-old father in South Carolina is accused of leaving his 6-year-old daughter "sleeping in line outside Target," allegedly using the child to hold his place so he could purchase a newly released set of Pokemon trading cards.
John-Michael Dooley was taken into custody Friday and charged with one count of unlawful conduct toward a child, court records show.
According to a news release from the Charleston Police Department, officers responded around 2:30 a.m. to the West Ashley Target in the 2000 block of Sam Rittenberg Blvd., for a report of an "unattached child," meaning a child with no adult supervision in a public space.
Upon arriving, first responders learned that the 6-year-old girl had been "waiting in line with her father," later identified as Dooley, who was no longer in the area. Police said numerous other people had "gathered outside the store" and were waiting overnight "in anticipation of the release of a new Pokemon trading card set."
Several witnesses told police that sometime after 1 a.m. Dooley "gave his daughter a pillow and blanket before leaving her asleep in line." After waiting about an hour for him to return, concerned customers decided to call the police.
When Dooley returned to the Target, the witnesses in line identified him to police, who placed him under arrest.
"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," police wrote in the release.
Authorities said the child was not harmed. After her father's arrest, the girl was placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
Dooley was transported to the Al Cannon Detention Center for processing. He appeared for a hearing Friday afternoon where a judge set his bond at $40,000.
Dooley is scheduled to make his initial appearance in court on Dec. 18. His second appearance is currently scheduled for April 16, 2027, records show.