Dad arrested after allegedly leaving sleeping daughter outside Target to save spot in line for Pokémon cards

Crime

By Linda Ikeji
8 November 2026, 12:25 pm

John-Michael Dooley was arrested on November 6 and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child after police said he left his six-year-old daughter outside a Target store to hold his place in line for Pokémon cards.

Witnesses told police that Dooley left the girl outside the store at about 1am with a pillow and blanket. She was asleep, and he did not return for more than an hour, according to the witnesses.

Witnesses called police, and officers arrested Dooley at about 2:30am after he returned. Police said he acknowledged after his arrest that he had gone home and left his daughter outside to keep his place in line.

The girl was unharmed and was placed in emergency protective custody with social services. Dooley is being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center. Court records show his bond was set at $40,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court on December 18.