MARIETTA, Ga. — Mahendra Patel, a 57-year-old Georgia man accused of attempted kidnapping at an Atlanta Walmart, was released on bond after six weeks in jail.
On Tuesday morning, a superior court judge from the Cobb County Judicial Circuit set the bond at $10,000. In March, Patel was accused of separating a 2-year-old boy from his mother, Caroline Miller, aged 26.
He was charged with criminal attempt to commit kidnapping, assault, and battery, according to court records.
Miller told WSB-TV Atlanta that she and Patel were “tug of warring” with the child. However, surveillance footage released in April contradicts Miller’s account, according to Ashleigh Merchant, Patel’s attorney.
Patel told reporters outside the detention center that he was overjoyed to be out of police custody.
“I’m a positive guy, so take things one day at a time. “A lot of ups and downs,” Patel said. “But I knew we had a team outside to help me. One day, we’ll see the light, and then today.”
According to the arrest warrant, Miller’s 2-year-old son was sitting in her lap while they were in a shopping cart designed for people with disabilities.
Patel allegedly grabbed and pulled the child away from Miller. Miller regained control of her child by “wrestling” him back from Patel, according to the warrant.
“This act placed the mother in fear for her and her child’s safety,” the warrant stated.
Surveillance footage of the interaction shows Patel speaking to Miller while she is in the scooter. Miller, who is not disabled, stated that her children enjoy riding on the scooter.
At one point, the two-year-old slips from Miller’s lap. Patel told police that he asked Miller where Tylenol could be found and tried to help stabilize the toddler.
“Mr. Patel offered to hold the baby while she got up to show him where the Tylenol was,” Merchant stated at the hearing. “He believes fully that she’s handicapped and she’s got two young children.”
Patel appears to have a second interaction with Miller, showing her the bottle of Tylenol he had discovered.
“Mr. Patel went, got the Tylenol, and the video couldn’t be clearer,” Merchant said during the hearing. “Mr. Patel did not try to kidnap this child.”
Since his arrest, Patel has received widespread support online. As of Tuesday, a petition calling for his release had received more than 47,200 signatures.
Patel is still fighting the case, but he says he is looking forward to having a home-cooked meal. A trial date has not yet been set.
“I am picky about food, but I told my daughter and wife, ‘I don’t mind. “Better than what I had over there.”
