An Indian American man who many believe is being unjustly prosecuted on accusations of trying to snatch a toddler from a shopping cart is out on bail, NBC News reports.
A judge in Marietta, GA Tuesday set bail for Mahendra Patel at $10,000. The suspect who had spent six weeks behind bars promptly posted bond and walked out of jail.
Patel’s case has gained notoriety in the Indian American community. A change.org petition entitled “Help innocent Mahendra Patel to get justice” has garnered 50,000 signatures.
The tax-exempt social welfare group Indian American Impact has lent its support to Patel calling for people to write the District Attorney and their political representatives to demand that charges be dropped.
As AsAmNews previously reported, Patel says video surveillance from Walmart where the incident occurred clearly shows his innocence.
Patel says he saw a toddler falling out of a motorized shopping cart and grabbed the child to prevent a dangerous fall.
The mother accuses Patel of snatching the child from her. The video later shows Patel having a pleasant exchange with the mother before walking out of the store. The mother called 911 30 minutes later accusing him of a crime.
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