CHARLESTON, S.C. — Charleston Police arrested a 35-year-old father in the early hours of November 6 after he allegedly abandoned his six-year-old daughter on a commercial sidewalk outside a Target store to protect his spot in an overnight queue for Pokémon trading cards.
Police booked John-Michael Dooley into the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center on a felony charge of unlawful conduct toward a child. A magistrate set his bond at US$40,000. The young girl was found unharmed, wrapped in a blanket on the concrete.
Crowds had assembled late into the night outside the West Ashley retail outlet in Charleston, drawn by the retail launch of the "Mega Evolution – Delta Reign" collection. Individual packs commanded retail prices starting near US$5, sparking frenzied lines among commercial resellers and collectors alike. But inside the mounting queue, bystanders noticed something alarming.
A child lay sleeping alone on the pavement.
Police investigators determined Dooley brought his daughter to the storefront, handed her a pillow and blanket, and walked away. He returned to his residence for roughly an hour—deliberately leaving the sleeping six-year-old behind to ensure he did not forfeit his place in line. Surrounding shoppers grew alarmed as the minutes stretched on with no guardian in sight. They called emergency services.
Police cruisers rolled up to the storefront at approximately 2:30 AM. When Dooley reappeared at the retail plaza, witnesses pointed him out to responding officers. Detectives questioned Dooley at the scene, where he admitted to stepping away and leaving the child unattended so he would not miss out on purchasing the trading cards.
Police took Dooley into custody immediately and referred the child to state authorities. Caseworkers with the South Carolina Department of Social Services took the six-year-old into emergency protective custody.
| Case Parameter | Official Status |
|---|---|
| Accused | John-Michael Dooley, 35 |
| Jurisdiction | Charleston Police Department, South Carolina |
| Charges Filed | Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child |
| Bail Amount | US$40,000 Bond |
| Custody Facility | Al Cannon Detention Center |
Dooley remains detained in Charleston County pending the posting of bail. His initial court appearance is scheduled before a county judge on December 18, 2026.