Mahendra Patel indicted for attempted kidnapping at Walmart in Georgia
- Mahendra Patel approached a mother seeking Tylenol at a Georgia Walmart and was accused of trying to grab her child.
- Surveillance video from the store is central to the case, showing Patel's interaction with the family.
- Patel was granted a bond after being held for over 40 days amid serious allegations against him.
In a distressing incident that occurred two months ago at a Walmart store in Acworth, Georgia, Mahendra Patel was arrested following allegations made by a mother, Caroline Miller. Patel had approached Miller while she was searching for Tylenol, asking for assistance in locating the medication. During this exchange, Miller has alleged that Patel attempted to grab her 2-year-old son from her lap, an accusation that led to his indictment on charges of attempted kidnapping, simple assault, and simple battery by a grand jury on April 3. Miller's claim describes the confrontation, emphasizing her swift reaction to pull her child back from Patel, creating a moment of panic in the store. Surveillance footage has become a critical element of the case, reportedly showing Patel with his back to the camera during the reported incident. His attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, contended that the video supported Patel's assertion that he was trying to prevent the child from falling, rather than initiating an abduction. Merchant also pointed out that Patel had remained at the scene, which could indicate he was not a flight risk. For more than 40 days, Patel was held in Cobb County Jail without bond before being granted a $10,000 bond by Judge A. Gregory Poole, who remarked that while he wouldn't comment on the video's implications of guilt or innocence, he saw no risk of flight based on the evidence observed in the video footage. The confrontation quickly escalated to a police response, with Miller having notified Walmart staff about the incident, which ultimately culminated in Patel's arrest. Despite the serious allegations against Patel, including his previous felony for a financial scheme and past DUI suspicion, his attorney portrayed him as an active community member involved in local nonprofits, maintaining strong ties that should warrant his release. Patel's legal troubles, however, remain a significant burden, as the case unfolds with mixed public sentiment concerning the intentions behind his actions.