South Carolina father arrested after leaving 6-year-old alone in line for Pokémon cards

A queue built overnight

Customers gathered outside a Target store in the West Ashley area of Charleston, South Carolina, during the night before a new Pokémon card set went on sale. The release was Mega Evolution - Delta Reign, the latest expansion of the trading card game, which reached shelves worldwide on Friday, 6 November, and was sold in Italy under the title Dominio Delta, according to AGI. Packs were reported to start at $5. Police later said numerous people had camped outside the shop overnight in anticipation of the launch, and the crowd included families and collectors hoping to be among the first buyers.

What witnesses described

Witnesses told officers that John-Michael Dooley was waiting in line with his daughter. Shortly after 1 a.m., he gave the girl a pillow and a blanket and then left her asleep among the other customers. When he did not return after about an hour, nearby customers grew concerned and phoned the police. Officers arrived at the store around 2:30 a.m. in response to the report of an unattended child. Witnesses identified Dooley when he came back to the store, and he was arrested on the spot.

According to the Charleston police statement, Dooley later told investigators that he had gone home so that his daughter could keep his place and he would not miss the chance to buy the cards. The statement did not say whether the cards were meant for him or for the girl, according to AGI.

Charges and custody

Dooley faces a charge of unlawful conduct toward a child, an offence AGI links to section 63-5-70 of the state code. The girl was not hurt and was placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services. A Charleston Police spokesperson later told ABC News that Dooley had been released from custody. Court documents cited by PEOPLE set his bail at $40,000 and schedule his first court appearance for 18 December. Whether he has a lawyer representing him was not yet known.

Target and the wider trade

Target told ABC News that the Charleston store was closed while the incident took place and that it would assist investigators. The episode unfolded against a broader rise in interest in collectible cards. Galaxus recorded 46 times as many sales in 2024 as in 2019, and especially rare Pokémon cards are reported to fetch 100,000 Swiss francs or more. Popular new releases in some cases sell out within seconds, which helps explain why buyers were prepared to queue overnight in Charleston.