Ohio father arrested for leaving daughter outside Target for Pokémon cards

A 38‑year‑old father was arrested in Springfield, Ohio, on Tuesday after police said he left his six‑year‑old daughter sleeping in a line outside a Target store while he drove home to buy a new set of Pokémon trading cards. Officers arrived after a bystander reported a child unattended for more than an hour. The man, identified only as Michael Thompson, is charged with child endangerment and a misdemeanor for leaving a minor unattended in a public place.

The incident comes amid a nationwide surge in demand for Pokémon cards, which have become high‑value collectibles and a lucrative resale market. Since the release of the “Scarlet & Violet” series in early 2023, some cards have sold for thousands of dollars on secondary platforms. Retailers have responded with limited‑time drops and long queues, prompting parents to bring children to stores to hold spots. Child‑welfare advocates warn that the craze can blur the line between a family outing and a commercial transaction, increasing the risk of neglect.

According to the Springfield Police Department, Thompson told officers he intended to return within ten minutes but drove 15 miles away to a nearby mall to purchase the cards. He returned after an hour to find his daughter still in the line, exhausted and crying. The child was taken to a pediatrician for a check‑up and suffered no serious injury. Neighbors described the father as “usually responsible,” but said the incident shocked the community. The Target store manager said staff tried to keep the child safe but were not equipped to supervise a minor for that length of time.

Thompson will appear in municipal court next month. If convicted, he faces up to six months in jail, a fine, and mandatory parenting classes. The case highlights the tension between consumer hype and child safety, prompting local officials to consider stricter enforcement of child‑neglect statutes during high‑profile retail events. Police say they will monitor similar situations closely as the Pokémon card market continues to drive intense consumer behavior.