[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
A South Carolina dad is facing some VERY serious charges after allegedly leaving his 6-year-old daughter all alone outside a Target in the middle of the night.
And as for the reason why will blow your mind…
You see, he apparently didn’t want to lose his spot in line for… Pokémon cards!!! Yes, seriously. POKÉMON CARDS!!!
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According to a Charleston Police Department news release obtained by People on Sunday morning, John-Michael Dooley of Johns Island was arrested on Friday after officers responded to reports of an unattended little girl outside a Target in Charleston’s West Ashley neighborhood.
Cops arrived around 2:30 a.m., where customers had gathered overnight to get their hands on newly released Pokémon trading cards.
Witnesses told police Dooley had initially been waiting in line with his daughter. But sometime after 1 a.m., he allegedly gave the 6-year-old a pillow and blanket, left her sleeping outside the store, and WENT HOME!
OMG!!!
After roughly an hour without any sign of the father, concerned shoppers finally called the authorities. When Dooley eventually returned, witnesses identified him to officers, who promptly arrested him.
And here’s the kicker: Police say Dooley actually ADMITTED to detectives that he’d gone home and left his daughter unattended so she could save his place in line!
Thankfully, the little girl wasn’t physically harmed. She was placed into emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
Dooley was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child and booked into the city’s Al Cannon Detention Center. His bond was set at $40,000, and he’s scheduled to appear in court on December 18.
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It’s unclear whether he has an attorney. Neither police nor social services immediately responded to People’s requests for comment on Saturday.
All this over trading cards?! Seriously?? Honestly, we’re just glad that little girl is apparently safe…
If you have sincere cause to suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org.
[Image via Charleston Police Department]
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