A Georgia man accused of attempting to abduct a toddler at a Walmart is fighting back, insisting he was wrongly accused. Mahendra Patel, a 56-year-old father and Indian American from Cobb County, says mother-of-two Caroline Miller misrepresented their interaction.
According to Daily Mail, on March 18, Miller was shopping in a motorized cart with her two-year-old son and four-year-old daughter when Patel approached to ask where Tylenol was located. Moments later, Miller alleged Patel tried to snatch her son from her lap, describing a “tug of war.”
Patel maintains, as Fox 5 Atlanta described, that he noticed the child slipping and instinctively reached out to steady him. Surveillance footage reviewed by Patel’s defense reportedly shows no struggle, only brief contact, and depicts Patel calmly completing his purchase before exiting the store.
Despite the footage, Acworth Police stated the released video “does not show the entire incident.” Patel’s lawyer, Ashleigh Merchant, counters that all angles clearly show no kidnapping attempt.
Since his arrest, Patel has faced threats in jail. Supporters launched a petition arguing he was trying to help, not harm. Patel’s family also points to Miller’s past litigation history, including an ongoing lawsuit against Lyft.
Patel remains detained without bond and is scheduled for a hearing on May 6.
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