US man abandons six-year-old daughter to queue for Pokémon cards
A 35-year-old father in South Carolina was arrested after allegedly leaving his six-year-old daughter sleeping outside a Target store to hold his place in a queue for Pokémon cards, IGN reports, citing local police.
The incident took place in Charleston on 6 November, when collectors gathered overnight for the launch of Mega Evolution — Delta Reign, a new expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
According to the Charleston Police Department, John-Michael Dooley, 35, gave his daughter a pillow and blanket shortly after 1 a.m. before leaving her asleep outside the store.
Other customers became concerned when he failed to return after approximately an hour. They contacted the authorities, who arrived at the West Ashley store at around 2:30 a.m.
Father arrested after returning to the store
When Dooley eventually returned, witnesses identified him to officers. During questioning, he admitted that he had gone home and left his daughter behind to maintain his position in the queue, police said.
The girl was unharmed but was placed in emergency protective custody with South Carolina’s Department of Social Services. Dooley was charged with unlawful conduct towards a child but was later released from custody.
The new Pokémon release features more than 135 cards, including rare versions of Mega Rayquaza ex, Mega Golurk ex and other Pokémon.
The expansion is sold in booster packs containing 10 cards, as well as larger collector boxes. Individual packs cost around $5, while some of the rarest cards are already listed for hundreds of dollars on the resale market.
The release also introduces Legendary Stadium cards, which can be combined in pairs to create new effects during matches.
