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Charleston police say John-Michael Dooley was arrested and charged after allegedly leaving his 6-year-old daughter outside a West Ashley Target while he went home to hold a place in line for Pokémon cards. Police said the child was unharmed and placed in emergency protective custody with South Carolina’s Department of Social Services.
A 35-year-old Johns Island man was arrested after allegedly leaving his 6-year-old daughter alone outside a West Ashley Target while he went home to preserve his place in line for a Pokémon card release, Charleston police said. The child was unharmed and placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, while her father, John-Michael Dooley, was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child.
Charleston Police Department officers responded to the Target at approximately 2:30 a.m. Friday after receiving a report of an unattended child, according to WCBD News 2’s account of police information. Customers had gathered outside the store overnight to wait for the release of a new Pokémon Trading Card Game set.
Witnesses told officers that sometime after 1 a.m., Dooley gave his daughter a pillow and blanket and left her in line. After about an hour without seeing him return, customers contacted law enforcement, officials said. Dooley eventually came back to the store, where witnesses identified him to officers, and police arrested him.
Police said Dooley told detectives he had left the child there to hold his place so he would not miss the opportunity to buy cards while he was at home. Authorities said the girl was unharmed and transferred to emergency protective custody. Dooley was taken to a local detention center after being charged with unlawful conduct toward a child.
Child Safety During Overnight Store Lines
The case centers on a young child being left without an adult’s supervision outside a store overnight, according to police and witness accounts. Customers’ decision to call law enforcement brought the situation to officers’ attention, and authorities arranged protective custody for the child after responding.
The allegation also shows how a line for a popular product release became the setting for a child-safety concern. The available report does not establish that the Pokémon release itself caused the incident; police said Dooley left the child to keep his place while he went home. The immediate confirmed outcome is that the child was reported unharmed and entered emergency protective custody, while the father faces a criminal charge.
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How the Overnight Line Unfolded
Customers were waiting outside the West Ashley Target for a new Pokémon Trading Card Game set. According to witnesses cited by officials, Dooley left his daughter in the line after 1 a.m., giving her a pillow and blanket. The account does not describe the store’s release arrangements or say how many people were waiting.
After roughly an hour without Dooley returning, customers reported the unattended child. Police arrived at about 2:30 a.m., spoke with people at the scene and later identified Dooley after he came back. The sequence described by authorities runs from the child being left in line, to a customer report, to police response and arrest.
“Dooley admitted that he left his daughter in line to hold his place so he wouldn’t miss the chance to buy Pokémon cards while he was at home.”
— Charleston police, as reported by WCBD News 2
Details Awaiting Court Records
The source report does not give the calendar date of the Friday incident, identify the court handling the charge, or provide details about any initial court appearance, bond, or later proceedings. It also does not include a statement from Dooley or his lawyer.
Police and witnesses are the cited sources for the account of what happened. The charge is an allegation, not a finding of guilt. The report says the child was placed in emergency protective custody but does not state what longer-term arrangements were made or whether she later returned to a family member.
Court and Child-Welfare Follow-Up
Dooley’s case will proceed through the criminal justice system following his arrest and charge. The supplied report does not identify the next court date or describe what prosecutors may file beyond the charge already reported.
The Department of Social Services placed the child in emergency protective custody. Any later custody or placement decision is not detailed in the available account. Further information about court proceedings and the child’s welfare arrangements would clarify what followed the initial police response.
Key Questions
What do police say happened outside the Target?
Police said John-Michael Dooley left his 6-year-old daughter in line outside a West Ashley Target while he went home to hold his place for a Pokémon card release. Officers responded at about 2:30 a.m. after customers reported the child.
Was the child injured?
Authorities said the child was unharmed. She was placed in emergency protective custody with South Carolina’s Department of Social Services.
What charge does the father face?
Police charged Dooley with unlawful conduct toward a child and took him to a local detention center. The charge is an allegation, and the source report does not give further court details.
Why did customers call law enforcement?
Witnesses told officers that after Dooley left his daughter in line, about an hour passed without him returning. Customers then contacted law enforcement, officials said.
What happens to the child and the case now?
The child was in emergency protective custody with the Department of Social Services, and Dooley’s criminal case will continue after his arrest. The available report does not state the child’s later placement or the next court date.
Source: counton2.com
