A South Carolina father allegedly left his 6-year-old daughter sleeping in line outside a Target store in Charleston so he could keep his place overnight while waiting to buy newly released Pokémon trading cards, police said.
John-Michael Dooley, 35, provided his daughter with a pillow and blanket as he waited with a large crowd outside the Target in the West Ashley neighborhood at about 1 a.m. Friday, according to a Charleston Police Department news release.
Police said Dooley, a Johns Island resident, later left the store area, abandoning the child alone in the line.
After more than an hour, concerned customers called police at around 2:30 a.m. Dooley was arrested after returning to the store sometime later.
Dooley told investigators he had gone home but left his daughter outside Target “so he could maintain his place in line and avoid missing the opportunity to purchase the cards,” Charleston police said.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Potential Threat: Iran's Capability to Use EMPs and Possession of Dirty Bombs – NewsFinale
He was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child and booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center.
Online court records show that Dooley’s bond was set at $40,000. He is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 12.
The child was not injured and was placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, police said.
Pokémon released several new trading card products Friday as part of its “Mega Evolution – Delta Reign” and “30th Celebration” collections. The launches prompted dedicated fans across the country to line up for packs priced at about $5 and up.