Mahendra Patel, a 57-year-old Georgia man, was granted a $10,000 bond after spending 45 days in jail following accusations of attempting to abduct a 2-year-old boy at a Walmart in Acworth. The incident occurred on March 18, and Patel was indicted on charges including attempted kidnapping, simple assault, and battery.
During the bond hearing, Cobb County Judge A. Gregory Poole stated that Patel was entitled to bond and determined he was not a flight risk based on available video evidence.
Patel’s attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, presented Walmart security footage that she argued showed Patel was merely trying to prevent the child from falling off a scooter. Though the video was grainy and partially obscured, it contradicted the claim that Patel fled the scene. Merchant also emphasized Patel’s strong community ties, including family, property ownership, and volunteer work. The judge noted these factors and said he didn’t believe Patel posed a threat to the community.
Prosecutors maintained that Patel had inappropriately grabbed the child and pointed to his past felony conviction and DUI arrest. The child’s mother, Caroline Miller, told police Patel asked her about Tylenol before allegedly reaching for her son. Despite the indictment, Patel’s legal team insists the evidence does not support the allegations. CNN reached out to Miller, but she declined to comment further on the case.
