Mahendra Patel Accused Of Kidnapping, Released On Bond After Languishing In Jail

India-West News Desk

ATLANTA, GA – Mahendra Patel, the 57-year-old Indian American man accused of attempting to kidnap a toddler at an Acworth Walmart, was granted bond on May 6 after spending over 40 days in Cobb County Jail. The $10,000 bond, approved by Cobb County Superior Court Judge A. Gregory Poole, was met with cheers and applause from courtroom supporters.

The bond decision came amid growing outrage and calls for justice from the Indian American community and strong calls from the Cobb County Democratic Party.

Patel, a lifetime member of the Leuva Patidar Samaj (LPS) of USA, received widespread backing from those who believe he was wrongfully accused.

A petition demanding a fair review of the charges gained over 45,000 signatures online, reflecting concerns about possible racial profiling and cultural misunderstanding. “This could’ve been my father,” wrote Sai Priyanka, a Fremont resident. “We are taught to help others, but this case shows the risks involved in doing the right thing while being brown in America.” Laurel posted, “I have eyes. I’ve seen the video. This man is INNOCENT!”

The controversy stems from a March 18 incident at Walmart, where Patel allegedly grabbed a 2-year-old child from a mother riding a motorized cart. The mother, Caroline Miller, claimed she and Patel engaged in a “tug of war” over her child before he let go and walked away. Roughly 30 minutes later, Miller called 911 to report what she believed was an attempted abduction.

However, Patel has maintained his innocence. His attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, argued in court that Patel was simply trying to help the mother, who appeared to be struggling, and reached out to steady the child. Merchant presented surveillance footage supporting that version of events, showing Patel later speaking with a Walmart employee and returning to show Miller he had found the Tylenol he was searching for. Two witnesses, including a store employee, reportedly saw no signs of attempted kidnapping.

Merchant also addressed Patel’s past legal record, which includes a 2006 class E felony for a white-collar crime—described in court as the least serious federal offense—along with a reckless driving conviction and a pending DUI case. She emphasized that Patel has always cooperated with law enforcement.

Though initially charged with kidnapping, assault, and battery, the kidnapping charge has since been downgraded to attempted kidnapping.