Closing From Judge:
Acworth, GA — Mahendra Patel, a 56-year-old Indian-American from Kennesaw, Georgia, was granted bond on May 6 after being jailed for more than 45 days on controversial kidnapping charges stemming from a March 18 incident at a Walmart in Acworth.
Surveillance video presented in court sharply contradicted the accusation that he tried to abduct a toddler, leading supporters and his legal team to assert that Patel is innocent and was wrongfully arrested.
Key Facts:
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Date of Arrest: March 22, 2025; Patel spent 45 days in jail before bond was granted.
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Charges: Attempted kidnapping, simple battery, and simple assault—now being widely questioned.
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Bond Details: Judge A. Gregory Poole granted a $10,000 bond and approved an international trip.
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Video Evidence: Surveillance footage shows Patel acted calmly, made no attempt to abduct the child, and left after purchasing Tylenol.
Attorney Ashleigh Merchant argued that Patel’s brief interaction with the mother and children was taken entirely out of context. The video, played in court, shows no attempt to grab the child. Instead, Patel appears to briefly speak with the family and then continue his shopping. “The video tells the truth—and it clears Mr. Patel,” Merchant stated. She noted Patel was merely offering help to a woman using a motorized cart.
In a packed courtroom filled with over 100 supporters—many from Georgia’s Indian-American community—Judge Poole noted Patel has no history of violence and posed no flight risk. He even allowed a previously scheduled international trip, a move rarely granted in cases involving serious charges. The judge’s decision prompted a standing ovation and visible relief from Patel’s family.
The prosecution, led by Chief Assistant District Attorney Jesse Evans, cited Patel’s past non-violent offenses, including a 2006 federal fraud case and a DUI charge from 2024. However, none of these involve violence or behavior consistent with the allegations in question. Supporters say Patel’s arrest reflects an unfortunate rush to judgment, and many now call for all charges to be dropped.
Adding another layer to the case, multiple media reports have revealed that the woman who made the accusation has a prior record involving a false report in a separate incident, raising further doubts about the validity of the claim. Still, the Cobb County DA’s office maintains the case is under review.
Do You Know?
Mahendra Patel’s supporters launched a petition after his arrest, which has now garnered over 45,000 signatures—a rare show of public unity in defense of an Indian-American immigrant wrongly accused. “This case is about restoring dignity to a man who did nothing wrong,” one community member said.
Key Terms:
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Attempted Kidnapping: A criminal charge applied when someone allegedly tries but fails to abduct another person.
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Surveillance Evidence: Video footage used in court, often critical to verifying or disproving eyewitness claims.
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Bond: A financial guarantee paid to secure a defendant’s release before trial, subject to court approval.