NewsABC7 News San Francisco (KGO-TV)November 9, 2026San Francisco County
South Carolina father arrested for leaving 6-year-old daughter unattended in overnight Pokémon card line
Photo: ABC7 News San Francisco (KGO-TV)
John-Michael Dooley, 35, was arrested and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child after police say he left his 6-year-old daughter sleeping outside a Charleston Target store at around 1 a.m. to hold his place in line for a Pokémon card release. The child was unharmed and placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
Read the full story at ABC7 News San Francisco (KGO-TV)Why It Matters
A young child was placed in protective custody and an adult faces criminal charges after being accused of abandoning a minor overnight in public to secure commercial goods.
Key Facts
- A 35-year-old father from Johns Island, South Carolina, was arrested Friday after allegedly leaving his 6-year-old daughter sleeping outside a Target store.
- The incident occurred in Charleston's West Ashley neighborhood around 2:30 a.m. outside a closed Target store.
- The father left the child with a pillow and blanket after 1 a.m. to hold his place in line for a new Pokémon trading card set release.
- Customers contacted police after approximately an hour passed without the father returning.
- Witnesses identified the father to officers upon his return, leading to his arrest.
- The father admitted to detectives that he went home while leaving his daughter unattended to maintain his place in line.
- The child was unharmed and placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
- The father was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child and subsequently released from custody.
Who's Mentioned
locationWest Ashley“Neighborhood in Charleston where the Target is located”OrganizationABC News“Media outlet that received statements from police and Target”OrganizationCharleston Police Department“Law enforcement agency that responded and made the arrest”locationJohns Island“Hometown of the arrested individual”PersonJohn-Michael Dooley“Father arrested for leaving his daughter in line”OrganizationCharleston County Sheriff's Office“Source of custody information cited by police”OrganizationSouth Carolina Department of Social Services“Agency that took the child into emergency protective custody”OrganizationTarget“Retail store where the incident occurred”locationCharleston“City where the police department and store are located”