The "Pokémon Trading Card Game: 30th Anniversary Figure Set" was officially released yesterday. As one of the most popular boxed products in this retro series, the card sets were snapped up quickly, with many people queuing overnight just to get their hands on one. In Charleston, South Carolina, a man brought his daughter to a local Target store in the early hours of the morning, but he actually had his child hold his place in line while he walked away. Police stated that the father abandoned his daughter for over an hour.
Other customers waiting in line became worried upon discovering the unattended child and promptly called the police. The girl was only six years old. According to local news channel Live 5 WCSC: "Witnesses told police that around 1 a.m., the man gave his daughter a pillow and blanket, let her sleep while waiting in line, and then left."
Reportedly, the father returned after being away for more than an hour and a half, and was arrested on the spot by police. He explained to law enforcement that he had simply gone home and asked his daughter to save his place. The girl was not injured and has since been placed under emergency protective custody by the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
The chaos caused by scalpers hyping up Pokémon cards has long been a common sight, with outrageous incidents occurring frequently: people have gotten into fights over cards, while genuine fans struggle to buy new ones. As the collectible value of Pokémon cards continues to rise, they have also become targets for criminal activities such as burglary. Recently, the Sheriff's Office in Bexar County, Texas, shut down an illegal gambling den where suspects used Pokémon cards as chips to circumvent regulations on prize limits.
This is all just too absurd.