Mahendra Patel, a 57-year-old man from Georgia, has been granted release on a $10,000 bond following six weeks of incarceration on charges of attempted kidnapping at a Walmart in the Atlanta area. A Cobb County Superior Court judge approved his bond on Tuesday.
Patel was implicated in an incident from March where he allegedly attempted to take a 2-year-old child from the child’s mother, 26-year-old Caroline Miller. According to the court documents, charges against him include criminal attempt to commit kidnapping, assault, and battery. Miller stated in an interview with local station WSB-TV that there was a struggle over the child, but surveillance footage contradicts her narrative, as noted by Patel’s attorney, Ashleigh Merchant.
After his release, Patel expressed relief, emphasizing his optimistic outlook. “I’m a positive guy, so you got to take it one day at a time. Lot of ups and downs,” he said, thanking those who supported him throughout his ordeal. He is hopeful that the truth will surface as his case proceeds.
The arrest warrant details that the incident involved Miller’s child sitting in her lap in a disabled person’s shopping cart. Patel allegedly pulled the child away, prompting Miller to intervene and regain control through a physical struggle. The warrant indicated that this incident led Miller to fear for their safety.
Merchant provided context around the event, claiming Patel was merely trying to assist Miller in finding Tylenol for the child. Footage from the incident shows Patel engaging with Miller in a conversation, during which he claims to have offered support.
Since Patel’s arrest, he has garnered substantial public support, evidenced by a petition for his release that has collected over 47,000 signatures. Though he continues to contest the charges, Patel is looking forward to enjoying a home-cooked meal with his family, saying that he appreciates the prospect of better food than what he was served in detention.
A trial date is yet to be established, leaving Patel, for now, optimistic about the road ahead. The unfolding case highlights the complexities surrounding individual encounters that can lead to serious legal repercussions and emphasizes the role of public opinion in high-profile cases.