COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The Cobb County District Attorney’s Office announced in court Wednesday it was no longer pursuing charges against a man accused of attempted kidnapping at an Acworth Walmart.
A judge dropped kidnapping charges against Mahendra Patel, a Cobb County business owner, following an agreement between all parties involved.
Patel spent 45 days in jail after being accused of trying to take a child from the mother March 18. He expressed gratitude for his newfound freedom Wednesday afternoon.
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“I guess I’m going to frame this, and I’m going to keep one copy in my car,” Mahendra Patel told Channel 2’s Candace McCowan of his dismissal order.
Ashleigh Merchant, Patel’s attorney, criticized the police investigation.
“I hope and I’ve always hoped this in my entire career that the police do a better job of investigating the truth,” she said.
Patel was arrested after Caroline Miller accused him of trying to kidnap her child. Patel was denied bond and indicted.
She said Patel asked her for help finding the Tylenol. When she pointed to it, she said he grabbed her 2-year-old son out of her hands.
Patel and his attorney maintained his innocence, saying he only reached for the boy because he thought he was going to fall off a motorized scooter that his mother was using.
Outside the courtroom, he expressed uncertainty about filing a lawsuit against her.
“I don’t know, I think I’m just going to enjoy my life of course,” he said.
In a statement, Acworth Police said investigators thoroughly reviewed the information provided, conducted interviews and collected evidence, which led to the initial arrest warrant.
Patel said he remains cautious about future interactions with people. “Next time I’ll think twice, but knowing me I’m a helping guy,” he said.
District Attorney Sonya Allen said in a statement that the decision followed a productive meeting between the people involved.
Both Mr. Patel and Ms. Miller expressed a shared desire to move forward and put the incident behind them," she said. “The Cobb County District Attorney’s Office is pleased to have facilitated a resolution and is encouraged by the willingness of both parties to engage in a constructive dialogue.”
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