Pokémon Card Line Arrest SC Dad Charged Over 6-Year-Old

A Johns Island father is facing a felony charge after Charleston police say he left his six-year-old daughter sleeping outside a West Ashley Target so she could hold his place in line for a new Pokémon trading card release. The Charleston Police Department identified him as John-Michael Dooley, 35. He was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child under South Carolina law, and his daughter was placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS).

This is a criminal and child-protection case. It is not a lawsuit against Pokémon, Nintendo or Target, and there is no class action, settlement or consumer claim. Mr. Dooley is accused of an offense and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Pokémon Card Line Arrest in Charleston: Quick Facts

Detail	Latest verified information
Defendant	John-Michael Dooley, 35, of Johns Island, SC
Date of incident	Friday, November 6, 2026
Location	Target store, West Ashley, Charleston, SC
Child	6-year-old daughter (name withheld); unharmed
Reported time	Left after about 1 a.m.; police arrived about 2:30 a.m.
Charge	Unlawful conduct toward a child, S.C. Code § 63-5-70
Maximum penalty	Up to 10 years in prison, a fine, or both
Jail	Al Cannon Detention Center
Bond	$40,000, reported from court records
Reported court dates	December 18, 2026 and April 16, 2027
Child’s status	Emergency protective custody with DSS
Trial date	None reported
Guilty plea or conviction	None

What Happened Outside the West Ashley Target on November 6, 2026?

Customers had gathered outside the store overnight for the release of a new Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion. According to the Charleston Police Department, witnesses told officers that sometime after 1 a.m., Dooley gave his daughter a pillow and blanket and left her sleeping in the line.

After about an hour without his return, other customers became concerned and called police. Officers arrived around 2:30 a.m. and found the girl without her father. Dooley later returned to the store, witnesses identified him, and he was arrested.

Police say that in an interview with detectives, Dooley admitted he had gone home and left his daughter so he could keep his place in line and not miss the chance to buy the cards. That is the police account of a statement. It is not a guilty plea or a conviction, and the state still has to prove the charge in court.

The girl was unharmed. After her father’s arrest, police placed her in emergency protective custody with DSS.

What Pokémon Product Was Released at Target on November 6, 2026?

The crowd was waiting for Mega Evolution—Delta Reign, which The Pokémon Company International released on November 6, 2026 at participating retailers. The set has more than 135 cards, including Mega Rayquaza ex, Mega Golurk ex, Mega Malamar ex and Mega Golisopod ex, and introduces a Legendary Stadium mechanic. Products include booster packs and Elite Trainer Boxes.

Police have not said whether Dooley meant to buy the cards for himself, his daughter or someone else, and there is no verified evidence he planned to resell them. None of that changes the legal question, which is whether leaving a six-year-old unsupervised in these circumstances violated South Carolina child-protection law.

Who Is John-Michael Dooley?

Police identified him as a 35-year-old Johns Island resident. The public information reviewed does not establish any prior criminal history, and none should be attributed to him without court records. As of this writing no substantive public statement from Dooley or his lawyer has been reported. His daughter’s identity has not been released and should stay private.

What Does S.C. Code § 63-5-70 Say About Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child?

Under § 63-5-70(A), it is unlawful for a person who has charge or custody of a child, or is responsible for the child’s welfare, to:

place the child at unreasonable risk of harm affecting the child’s life, physical or mental health, or safety;
unlawfully or maliciously cause bodily harm to a child when the child’s life or health is endangered or likely to be endangered; or
willfully abandon the child.

Police announced the charge as unlawful conduct toward a child but did not say which subsection prosecutors are relying on. It would be premature to say he is charged under every subsection.

Does a Child Have to Be Injured for a South Carolina Felony Charge?

Not necessarily. The unreasonable-risk provision, § 63-5-70(A)(1), focuses on the risk created by the adult’s conduct. Because the girl was reportedly unharmed, the case does not automatically fail, but prosecutors must still prove each element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

How Does South Carolina Law Define Abandonment?

The Children’s Code (S.C. Code § 63-7-20) describes abandonment as a parent or guardian willfully deserting a child, or willfully surrendering physical possession without making adequate arrangements for the child’s needs or continuing care. Whether a temporary absence meets that definition depends on the facts, including what supervision was arranged, how long the child was left and what the parent intended.

South Carolina Father John-Michael Dooley Charged After Leaving 6-Year-Old Daughter Alone Outside Charleston Target for Pokémon Cards

What Is the Maximum Sentence for Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child in South Carolina?

A conviction under § 63-5-70 is a felony punishable by a fine in the court’s discretion, up to 10 years in prison, or both. That is the statutory ceiling, not a prediction. The actual outcome would depend on the charged subsection, the evidence, criminal history, any plea agreement and the judge’s sentencing decision. No plea or sentencing decision has been reported.

South Carolina also has a Pretrial Intervention program (S.C. Code § 17-22-10 and following) that can sometimes divert eligible defendants out of the traditional prosecution path. Nothing in the reporting says Dooley has applied or qualifies.

Does South Carolina Have a Minimum Age for Leaving a Child Home Alone?

The unlawful-conduct statute does not set a specific minimum age. The broader child-welfare definitions in § 63-7-20 look at whether a parent failed to provide supervision suited to the child’s age and development, and whether that created a substantial risk of physical or mental injury. Factors that can matter include:

the child’s age, maturity and ability to recognize danger or seek help;
whether the setting was safe and a responsible adult was actually present;
how long the child was alone;
whether adequate arrangements had been made for the child’s care;
the risks of the location and time of day.

Here the reported facts are a six-year-old asleep outside a retail store at about 1 a.m. while her father was reportedly at home. Only a court can decide whether the charge is proved. For a general overview, see our guide to Child Neglect Laws, Signs, How To Report And Penalties.

Why Did Charleston Police Place the Child in Emergency Protective Custody Even Though She Was Unharmed?

South Carolina law allows emergency protective custody when a child’s immediate welfare is threatened. Under S.C. Code § 63-7-620(A)(2), law enforcement may take a child into emergency protective custody when a parent has been arrested and the child has lost adult protection and supervision, subject to the statute’s conditions, including the lack of written consent for another person to take physical custody.

The usual steps are:

DSS notification. Officers must notify DSS after taking a child into emergency protective custody.
Transfer of physical custody. Where emergency medical care is not needed, DSS generally assumes physical control within two hours.
Preliminary investigation (§ 63-7-640). DSS investigates within 24 hours whether it should take legal custody or whether the child can safely return home or go to a relative.
Family court review (§ 63-7-710). A probable-cause hearing generally takes place within 72 hours, with a next-working-day provision when the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday.

Emergency protective custody is temporary and is not a termination of parental rights. The police release confirms only that the child was placed with DSS. It does not say where she is living now or what the family court has decided. For background on how custody decisions work, see our Child Custody coverage.

What Is John-Michael Dooley’s Bond Amount and Next Court Date?

The criminal case is at an early stage. The police release said Dooley was taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center. TMZ and Law&Crime, citing court records, reported that his bond was set at $40,000 and that he is due in court on December 18, 2026. Law&Crime also listed a second appearance on April 16, 2027.

Event	Reported date
Incident and arrest	November 6, 2026
Bond set	$40,000
Initial court appearance	December 18, 2026
Second scheduled appearance	April 16, 2027

These dates come from reporting based on court records, and the underlying case file was not independently retrieved for this article. Check the Charleston County court records portal for the current status. Setting bond is not the same as posting it, and the reporting reviewed does not confirm whether Dooley has been released. No plea, defense statement or trial date has been reported.

How Does a Felony Case Like This Move Through South Carolina Courts?

Felony charges in South Carolina are generally prosecuted in the Court of General Sessions, here in Charleston County (Ninth Judicial Circuit), after a grand jury indictment unless the defendant waives it. The defendant has the right to counsel and to remain silent, and the prosecution carries the burden of proving every element beyond a reasonable doubt. Statements to police can become a contested issue if there are questions about how they were obtained or recorded. A bond hearing, preliminary proceedings, possible plea negotiations, and then trial or disposition are the usual stages. Readers who want more on criminal cases can browse our Criminal Lawyer section.

What Evidence Could Matter in the Dooley Case?

Potential evidence includes statements from customers who saw him leave and who called police, officers’ observations of the child and the scene, Dooley’s reported interview with detectives, any Target or nearby surveillance footage showing how long the child was alone, phone or communication records, and DSS’s own child-welfare assessment. These are possible categories of evidence, not a confirmed list of what investigators have collected. No footage has been publicly released.

Did Target or Pokémon Do Anything Wrong? Could Either Be Sued?

No lawsuit against Target or The Pokémon Company has been reported, and no Target employee has been accused of any role. The police account says other customers noticed the father had not returned and contacted authorities. Nothing in the public record shows Target knew the child had been left alone before police were called. The charge concerns the father’s alleged conduct as a parent.

Were the Customers Who Called Police Required to Report the Child?

South Carolina law requires certain professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect under S.C. Code § 63-7-310. Ordinary members of the public can also report concerns, and no one needs to be certain a crime has occurred before calling authorities about a child who may be unsafe. Police did not allege any wrongdoing by the customers, whose call brought the situation to authorities.

What Happens Next in the Pokémon Card Line Arrest Case?

Two separate legal processes now run side by side:

The criminal case. The court will address the charge, the evidence and any plea or trial. The state must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The DSS and family court case. DSS and the family court decide whether the child can return to a parent, whether placement with a relative is needed, and what safety conditions apply. These decisions serve a different purpose from the criminal case.

A criminal charge does not by itself decide custody or parental rights.

Related AllAboutLawyer Coverage

Pokémon Card Line Arrest in Charleston: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the father arrested in the Charleston Pokémon card incident?

The Charleston Police Department identified him as John-Michael Dooley, 35, of Johns Island, South Carolina.

Why was John-Michael Dooley arrested?

Police say he left his six-year-old daughter sleeping outside a West Ashley Target after about 1 a.m. on November 6, 2026, to hold his place in line for the Mega Evolution—Delta Reign Pokémon cards.

Was the six-year-old injured?

No. Police said she was unharmed and placed in emergency protective custody with DSS.

What charge does Dooley face under South Carolina law?

Unlawful conduct toward a child under S.C. Code § 63-5-70, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine, or both.

Did Dooley admit leaving his daughter?

Police say he told detectives he went home and left her so he could keep his place in line. That is a reported statement, not a guilty plea.

How long was the child alone?

Witnesses said about an hour passed before customers called police. The total time unsupervised has not been officially established.

How much is Dooley’s bond and when is his next court date?

Court-record-based reporting says bond was set at $40,000 and his next appearance is December 18, 2026. Whether he posted bond is not confirmed.

Can a parent be charged in South Carolina if the child was not hurt?

Yes. The unreasonable-risk provision of § 63-5-70(A)(1) does not necessarily require actual injury.

Is there a minimum age for leaving a child alone in South Carolina?

The statute sets no specific age. Courts look at the child’s age and maturity, the setting, the length of time and the arrangements made for care.

Can DSS keep the child permanently?

Not automatically. Emergency protective custody is temporary, and longer-term decisions require the statutory process and family court review.

Is Target being sued?

No lawsuit against Target arising from this incident has been reported.

Is there a Pokémon card settlement or claim form?

No. This is a criminal and child-protection matter with no consumer settlement or compensation program.

Bottom Line: What Is Confirmed in the Pokémon Card Line Child-Neglect Case

Police say 35-year-old John-Michael Dooley left his unharmed six-year-old daughter asleep outside a West Ashley Target on November 6, 2026, and told detectives he did so to keep his place in the Pokémon line. He is charged with unlawful conduct toward a child, a felony carrying up to 10 years, and the girl is in DSS emergency protective custody. Bond was reported at $40,000, with a court appearance set for December 18.

Not yet known: whether Dooley posted bond, what plea he will enter, which subsection prosecutors will pursue, and what the family court decides about the child’s care. No conviction has been entered, no custody ruling has been announced, and no lawsuit exists against Target or Pokémon.

Sources and Official Legal References

Official sources

News reporting on the arrest, bond and court dates

The bond amount and court dates are attributed to reporting that cites court records. The underlying case file was not retrieved directly.

AllAboutLawyer.com is an independent legal information website, not a law firm. This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. John-Michael Dooley is accused of an offense and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The child’s identity is withheld to protect her privacy.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against the official Charleston Police Department news release, the South Carolina Code of Laws, The Pokémon Company International’s release announcement, and reporting citing court records, as of November 8, 2026. Last Updated: November 8, 2026.

About the Author

Israr Ahmad is a legal content researcher with 4+ years of experience covering class action settlements and consumer rights cases. He has researched and published coverage of 2,500+ settlements using verified court records, settlement administrator filings, and government sources. Learn more about Israr.