South Carolina Father Arrested After Leaving 6-Year-Old Daughter Outside Target For Pokémon Card Release

A South Carolina father was arrested after allegedly leaving his 6-year-old daughter unattended outside a Target store in the middle of the night while waiting for the release of a new Pokémon trading card collection, authorities said.

John-Michael Dooley, 35, of Johns Island, was taken into custody Friday after Charleston police responded to reports of an unattended child outside a Target location in the West Ashley neighborhood of Charleston at approximately 2:30 a.m.

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According to the Charleston Police Department, a crowd of customers had gathered outside the store overnight ahead of the highly anticipated Pokémon card release.

Witnesses told officers that Dooley had given his daughter a pillow and blanket before leaving her asleep in the line sometime after 1 a.m. When roughly an hour passed without him returning, other customers became concerned and contacted police.

Father Allegedly Left Daughter Outside Target To Secure Pokémon Cards

Police said Dooley returned to the store and was identified by witnesses, who directed officers to him. He was subsequently arrested.

During questioning by detectives, Dooley admitted that he had gone back home while leaving his daughter unattended outside the store.

According to police, he told investigators that he wanted to keep his position in line and avoid missing the opportunity to purchase the newly released Pokémon cards.

6-Year-Old Girl Placed In Emergency Protective Custody

The child was unharmed when officers intervened and was subsequently placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, authorities said.

Dooley was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child. He has since been released from custody, a Charleston Police Department spokesperson told ABC News, citing information from the Charleston County Sheriff's Office website.

Target Responds To Police Investigation

A Target spokesperson confirmed to ABC News that the store was closed when the incident occurred.

The company also said it would cooperate with law enforcement as investigators look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The police department has not provided additional details about the case.