Who is Mahendra Patel? Engineer Freed After Alleged Walmart Kidnapping - Misunderstanding?
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| Mahendra Patel was formally charged with criminal attempt to commit kidnapping |
Man accused of kidnapping toddler at Georgia Walmart
On March 18, 2025, Patel entered the Acworth Walmart seeking Tylenol for his 86-year-old mother. He approached Caroline Miller, who was in a motorized cart with her two young children, to ask for assistance in locating the medicine.
According to Miller, Patel grabbed her 2-year-old son from her lap, leading to a brief struggle before he walked away. She reported the incident to Walmart employees and later called 911, resulting in Patel's arrest three days later on charges of kidnapping, simple assault, and simple battery .
Legal Proceedings and Surveillance Footage
Patel's attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, argued that the incident was a misunderstanding. She presented Walmart surveillance footage in court, which she claimed showed Patel merely attempting to assist Miller by steadying her child, who appeared to be slipping from her lap. The video depicted Patel interacting calmly with store employees, purchasing Tylenol, and leaving the store without incident .
Prosecutors, however, maintained that Patel's actions constituted attempted kidnapping, citing a portion of the video where he appeared to grab the child's leg. They also noted Patel's prior convictions, including a 2006 federal fraud case and a pending DUI charge, arguing that he posed a potential risk .
Cultural Misunderstanding
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| With thousands of people rallying behind him, a man accused of attempting to kidnap a 2-year-old child at an Acworth Walmart is free from jail after being granted a bond. |
The case sparked widespread public interest, with over 250 supporters attending Patel's bond hearing.
Supporters argued that the incident was a cultural misunderstanding and criticized the legal system's handling of the case .
"I said that I cannot even dream about somebody alleging me of doing this kind of thing. So, it was a shocker," he said. "In fact, I didn't even realize why they were arresting me in the first place, and they took me into Acworth, and that's when I realized that this is what it was all about. I thought they had the wrong guy or something, so we had no idea."
Surveillance video of the alleged incident released by his lawyer, Merchant, created uproar on social media, leading to 47,000 people signing a petition for his release.
Release and Conditions
Judge Gregory Poole granted Patel a $10,000 bond, citing his community ties and lack of violent criminal history. As part of the bond conditions, Patel is prohibited from contacting the alleged victim or her family, using drugs or alcohol, and visiting any Walmart stores. He is also required to surrender his passport and remain within the jurisdiction pending trial .
Mahendra Patel spoke with reporters following his release after he spent 45 days in jail for a crime his lawyer said he was falsely accused of.
"It feels great. It could not happen without all these guys right here in my circle who helped me," he said.
Ongoing Investigation
The case remains under investigation, with no trial date set. Legal experts and community members continue to debate the implications of the incident, highlighting concerns about cultural misunderstandings and the interpretation of surveillance evidence in legal proceedings.
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