Police say a South Carolina father let his 6-year-old sleep in front of a Target after 1 a.m. so he wouldn’t lose his place in line for Pokémon cards.
Story Overview
- Charleston police arrested a father who allegedly left his daughter outside a Target overnight to keep her spot.
- Witnesses called the police after about an hour; police found the child sleeping with a pillow and blanket.
- Police said the father admitted he went home to wait in line for Pokémon cards.
- The girl was unharmed and placed in emergency custody with state social services.
What police say happened outside West Ashley Target
Charleston Police Department officers responded to a Target in West Ashley around 2:30 a.m. after callers reported a young child alone outside. Reports indicate the girl, aged 6, was sleeping on a pillow and under a blanket near a line of customers. Witnesses told police the father left after 1 a.m. and returned later while police were on scene. Officers arrested the father, identified as a 35-year-old Johns Island man, on a charge of unlawful conduct toward a child.
Reports based on police statements indicate that customers observed the girl for about an hour before calling 911. When officers arrived, witnesses pointed out the man as he returned to the store. Police said the child did not report any harm. Paramedics assessed her at the scene. Officers then placed her in emergency protective custody and contacted the South Carolina Department of Human Services for placement, according to local coverage.
The alleged motive and the criminal charge
Police accounts released by several media outlets indicate the father told officers he left his daughter there to keep her place and avoid missing an opportunity to buy Pokémon trading cards. One report cites this confession as “I left it there to save my place for Pokémon cards,” attributed to the summary of a police interview. The man was jailed on a single count of unlawful conduct toward a child, a South Carolina offense that involves exposing a child to an unreasonable risk of harm.
South Carolina law prohibits a parent or guardian from placing a child at unreasonable risk to life, or physical or mental health, even if the child suffers no actual injury. The law focuses on avoidable risks and negligence, not just the harm caused. Prosecutors often consider time spent alone, age of the child, access to help, and nighttime exposure when developing these cases under South Carolina Code Section 63-5-70.
Child safety, public lines and wider risk
This case fits a common pattern seen in the field of negligence enforcement, where the key issue is oversight. Officers check to see if a young child has had access to care and safety if something goes wrong. Here, police said the child was left outside overnight while the adults waited to buy goods, raising concerns about exposure and risk of harm. Similar charges in South Carolina depend on risk and circumstances, not whether an injury occurred at the time.
Police and Child Protective Services placed the girl with state social services after confirming she was not injured. This step indicates that officials perceived immediate security concerns. The criminal case now goes to court, where a judge will review the evidence, including testimony and any recorded statements. The outcome could range from dismissal to diversion, plea or trial. For now, public records focus on police statements and the subsequent arrest at the store.
Sources:
charlotteobserver.com, people.com, wltx.com, abcnews4.com, whoo.com
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