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Man Released on Bond After Attempted Kidnapping Charge

Interior of a Walmart with shoppers and a scooter designed for individuals with disabilities.

News Summary

A 57-year-old Georgia man, Mahendra Patel, has been released on a $10,000 bond after being charged with attempted kidnapping involving a two-year-old child at a Walmart. The police report states that Patel allegedly tried to pull the child away from his mother. However, surveillance footage may contradict these claims. With a petition for his release gaining over 47,200 signatures, the case has sparked community debate about child safety and stranger interactions in public spaces. The trial date for Patel’s charges is yet to be set.

Atlanta, Georgia – Mahendra Patel, a 57-year-old man from Georgia, has been released from jail on a $10,000 bond after being charged with attempted kidnapping related to an incident involving a two-year-old child at a Walmart store in March 2025. Patel’s bond was granted by a superior court judge of the Cobb County Judicial Circuit after he spent six weeks in jail awaiting his release.

The charges against Patel include criminal attempt to commit kidnapping, assault, and battery. The incident occurred when Caroline Miller, a 26-year-old mother, was shopping with her son, who was sitting in her lap inside a scooter designed for individuals with disabilities, although Miller herself does not have a disability. According to Miller, a struggle ensued when Patel allegedly attempted to pull her child away from her, describing the interaction as a “tug of war.”

However, Patel’s attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, stated that surveillance footage of the incident contradicts Miller’s claims. The video reportedly shows Patel speaking with Miller and later returning with a bottle of Tylenol that he found while trying to assist her. Patel has maintained that he approached Miller to ask for directions to the medicine aisle and attempted to stabilize the child after he slipped from Miller’s lap.

The incident escalated when Miller managed to regain control of her child by physically wrestling him back from Patel. The arrest warrant indicates that the confrontation left Miller fearing for both her and her child’s safety. Patel’s lawyer argued that the surveillance evidence will ultimately prove his innocence, illustrating that there was no actual attempt to kidnap the child.

In light of the case, a petition advocating for Patel’s release has garnered over 47,200 signatures online. Following his release, Patel expressed joy at being back home, where he looks forward to enjoying a home-cooked meal. A trial date for the charges against him has not yet been established.

This incident has drawn significant attention, raising questions about safety, child welfare, and the dynamics between strangers in public spaces. Many community members are closely monitoring the unfolding legal proceedings. As the case develops, the implications of both the allegations and the evidence collected will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of Patel’s charges.

The legal framework surrounding such allegations typically includes severe consequences if a conviction occurs. In Georgia, attempted kidnapping can lead to serious charges and penalties, reflecting the state’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its residents, especially children.

As the legal process continues, the community remains divided, with some supporting Miller’s account of events and others standing behind Patel, emphasizing the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The case underscores the complexities and sensitivities involved in interactions between parents and strangers in public, especially in situations involving children.

The next steps in the case will be closely watched as both the prosecution and defense prepare for what is expected to be a contentious trial regarding the accusations made against Patel.