A man in Charleston, South Carolina, has been arrested for abandoning his six-year-old daughter while she held his place in line for a sought-after Pokémon Trading Card Game product at a Target store. The incident occurred after midnight, with the father reportedly leaving the child with a pillow and blanket before returning to his home.
Witnesses alerted authorities when the young girl was left unattended for more than an hour and a half. Police arrived on the scene and took the father into custody upon his return. He allegedly told officers that he had instructed his daughter to maintain his position in the queue. The child was unharmed but has been placed in emergency protective custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
The release of the "Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Figure Collection" on November 6th, 2026, has drawn significant attention, with many consumers lining up overnight for a chance to purchase the limited product. This event highlights the ongoing issues surrounding the Pokémon TCG market, including scalping and high demand leading to chaotic scenes, as previously reported by Kotaku.
The value of Pokémon cards as collectibles has also been linked to an increase in burglaries and criminal activity, with one instance in Texas involving an illegal gambling operation reportedly using the cards as payouts.