The Story of Mahendra Patel: Falsely Accused of Kidnapping

The Story of Mahendra Patel: Falsely Accused of Kidnapping

Background

Mahendra Patel, a 56-year-old British-Indian engineer and full-time carer for his elderly mother, found himself at the center of a legal and social media storm in March 2025. While shopping for Tylenol at a Walmart in Acworth, Georgia, Patel was accused by Caroline Miller, a 26-year-old woman, of attempting to kidnap her two-year-old son.

The Incident

On March 18, 2025, Patel entered Walmart to buy medicine for his mother. Miller, using a motorized shopping cart with her two children, claimed that Patel distracted her by asking for Tylenol and then tried to lift her son, sparking what she described as a “tug of war” before she stopped him. Miller’s account quickly spread on social media and in interviews, framing the incident as an attempted child abduction.

Patel’s Version and the Evidence

Patel consistently maintained his innocence. He explained that he approached Miller simply to ask for help finding Tylenol. When he noticed her son slipping from her lap, he instinctively reached out to steady the boy, fearing he might fall. Patel said he mistook Miller for being disabled due to her use of the motorized cart.

Crucially, Walmart’s extensive surveillance footage-reviewed from at least 20 different angles-showed no evidence of a struggle or kidnapping attempt. The video depicted Patel and Miller interacting briefly and calmly, with no sign of Patel grabbing or attempting to snatch the child. At one point, Patel even showed Miller the Tylenol he had found, and she responded with a thumbs up. Patel then paid for his purchase and left the store in a normal manner, not fleeing or behaving suspiciously.

Why Was He Accused?

Miller’s accusation was based on her perception of Patel’s actions during their brief interaction. She claimed Patel tried to lift her son from her lap after distracting her, but the video evidence contradicted this narrative. Patel’s defense and supporters argue that Miller’s account was an overreaction-possibly influenced by misunderstanding, fear, or bias-and that it was amplified by social media and sensationalist coverage.

Legal and Social Fallout

Despite the lack of evidence supporting the kidnapping claim, Patel was arrested three days after the incident and charged with attempted kidnapping, simple battery, and simple assault. He was denied bond and has spent over a month in jail, facing threats and racist abuse from fellow inmates. His family and legal team have decried the case as a miscarriage of justice, pointing to racial bias and the dangers of snap judgments without proper review of evidence.

A grand jury has indicted Patel based on the initial claims, and his next court hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2025. Meanwhile, public outcry and petitions have grown, with many demanding his release and highlighting the video evidence that appears to exonerate him.

Summary

Mahendra Patel was accused of attempting to kidnap a toddler at Walmart after a brief interaction with the child’s mother, Caroline Miller.

Surveillance footage from the store showed no evidence of a struggle or kidnapping attempt, but Patel was still arrested and remains in jail.

The case has raised concerns about racial bias, the power of social media, and the potential for wrongful imprisonment when accusations are not thoroughly investigated.

“The footage shows a helpful act misunderstood as a criminal offence. There’s no sign of any attempt to kidnap or flee the scene.” – Ashleigh Merchant, Patel’s attorney