A 35-year-old man in South Carolina has been arrested after allegedly leaving his six-year-old daughter sleeping outside a Target store in the middle of the night while he went home to hold his place in a queue for Pokemon trading cards. Officers arrived at the scene at approximately 2.30 am on November 6.
John-Michael Dooley gave the child a pillow and blanket before leaving her unattended, according to the Charleston Police Department. He reportedly stayed away for around an hour, prompting concerned customers waiting outside the store to contact police. The girl was found unharmed, while Dooley was subsequently arrested and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child.
Customers alert police after child is left unattended
Officers arrived at around 2.30 am on November 6, and the customers identified Dooley when he eventually returned to the store.
Police said Dooley had brought his young daughter to the store and left her sleeping outside with a pillow and blanket. Dooley later admitted to detectives that he had left the child unattended so he could maintain his place in line and avoid missing the opportunity to purchase the cards, according to the police account. The incident took place outside a Target store in West Ashley, a neighbourhood in Charleston, South Carolina, as customers gathered overnight for the release of a new Pokemon trading card collection. He then went home, allegedly to ensure he did not lose his position in the queue. After Dooley failed to return for approximately an hour, witnesses contacted the police. The child was found unharmed. Following the incident, she was placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services. Dooley was arrested and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child. He was subsequently held at the Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston County.