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A South Carolina father was arrested and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child after police said he left his 6-year-old daughter sleeping outside a Target in Charleston. The girl was reported unharmed and placed in emergency protective custody with the state Department of Social Services.
A 35-year-old South Carolina man was arrested after police said he left his 6-year-old daughter asleep outside a Charleston Target while he went home to hold his place in line for a Pokémon trading card release. The girl was reported unharmed and placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
Charleston police responded to the Target in the West Ashley area at about 2:30 a.m. Friday after receiving a report of an unattended child, according to the report by Fox Carolina, citing WCSC and Gray News. Customers had gathered outside overnight for the release of a new Pokémon card set.
Witnesses told police that sometime after 1 a.m., the man, identified as John-Michael Dooley, gave his daughter a pillow and blanket and left her asleep in line. Concerned customers contacted police after he had reportedly been gone for about an hour. When Dooley returned, witnesses identified him, and officers arrested him.
Dooley is charged with unlawful conduct toward a child. According to the report, he allegedly told detectives that he had gone home and left his daughter at the store to maintain his place in line. The allegation has not been presented here as a court finding. Police said the child was unharmed; she was placed in emergency protective custody with the state Department of Social Services.
Child Safety in an Overnight Store Line
The case involves an allegation that a young child was left without an adult’s supervision outside a retail store during the overnight hours. Police were called by customers who were concerned about her welfare, and officers took action after responding to the report. The child’s reported condition and placement with South Carolina social services are the confirmed immediate welfare details in the available account.
The charge is a criminal allegation, not a determination of guilt. The case also illustrates how an event drawing overnight crowds can prompt safety concerns beyond the people waiting to attend or buy a product. The available report does not describe Target’s role in the incident or provide the store’s policies for managing the line.
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The Overnight Pokémon Card Release
Customers had lined up outside the West Ashley Target for a new Pokémon trading card set, according to the report. Police were called in the early morning, after witnesses said the child had been left in line for about an hour. The available account does not identify the card set or give details about the release schedule or store arrangements.
Authorities say the incident came to their attention through a report from people at the store, rather than through a stated report by the retailer. Witness accounts and the alleged statement to detectives are described in the news report; further evidence or a formal account from Dooley was not included in the source material.
“They told police that Dooley gave his daughter a pillow and blanket before leaving her asleep in line.”
— Witnesses, according to the report
Court Status and Case Details
The report does not say whether Dooley has appeared in court, entered a plea, retained an attorney, or received a hearing date. It also does not provide a response from Dooley or his representatives. The specific circumstances surrounding the child’s protective placement and whether she has since been reunited with family are not reported.
The available account identifies the charge but does not include a police statement in full, court filings, or further details about the investigation. Those details remain unconfirmed in the source material.
Further Updates From Police and Court
The next confirmed developments would be any court proceedings or additional information from Charleston police and the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The report does not give a scheduled court date or say when authorities expect to release further details.
Until more information is available, the key distinction remains that Dooley has been charged with unlawful conduct toward a child, while the account of what happened is based on witness statements and what he allegedly told detectives. The child was reported unharmed, and her protective placement was the immediate action described by authorities.
Key Questions
What is the man accused of doing?
Police say John-Michael Dooley left his 6-year-old daughter asleep outside a Target in Charleston while he went home to maintain his place in line for a Pokémon card release.
What charge does he face?
Dooley was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child, according to the report. A charge is an allegation, not a finding of guilt.
Was the child injured?
The report says the girl was unharmed. She was placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
When did police respond?
Charleston officers responded at about 2:30 a.m. Friday after receiving a report of an unattended child. Witnesses said Dooley had left her sometime after 1 a.m.
Is a court date or case outcome available?
The source report does not provide a court date, plea, or case outcome. Those details remain unclear.
Source: foxcarolina.com
