Charleston Man Arrested for Leaving Daughter in Pokémon Card Line

John-Michael Dooley arrested after leaving 6-year-old daughter at Charleston Target

A 35-year-old Johns Island man faces criminal charges after police say he abandoned his 6-year-old daughter in a line outside a Charleston-area store to secure his spot for a new Pokémon trading card release. John-Michael Dooley was arrested and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child following the incident at the West Ashley Target, WYFF News 4 reported.

The Charleston Police Department arrived at the retail location at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026, after receiving reports of an unattended minor. Customers who had gathered overnight to wait for the store to open alerted authorities after the girl’s father had been absent for an extended period.

The timeline of the abandonment

According to witness accounts provided to investigators, Dooley had been waiting in line with his daughter earlier in the evening. Sometime after 1:00 a.m., he provided the child with a pillow and a blanket, leaving her to sleep on the pavement while he reportedly returned to his home. Witnesses told police that the child remained alone in the line for roughly an hour before concerned shoppers contacted emergency services.

When officers arrived at the scene, they identified Dooley upon his return to the store. During subsequent questioning, Dooley admitted to detectives that he had left the child at the store specifically to maintain his position in the queue, hoping to avoid missing the opportunity to purchase the trading card set.

Legal consequences and child protective measures

The child was found unharmed by responding officers. Following the arrest, the South Carolina Department of Social Services took the girl into emergency protective custody. Dooley is currently being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center as the legal process moves forward.

Charleston Man Arrested for Leaving Daughter in Pokémon Card Line — Photo: foxcarolina.com

The charge of unlawful conduct toward a child is a serious matter in South Carolina, often involving cases where a person having custody of a child places them at unreasonable risk of harm. While the specific sentencing guidelines for this charge vary based on the circumstances of the case, the law is designed to protect minors from situations where their safety is compromised by adult negligence.

The incident highlights the intense demand surrounding limited-edition retail releases, a phenomenon that has seen similar lines form at major retailers across the country in recent years. As of Friday afternoon, officials have not released further details regarding the child’s current placement or the status of the investigation beyond the initial arrest.