Acworth Man Plans $25M Lawsuit After False Walmart Kidnapping Accusation

ACWORTH, Ga. — Attorneys for Mahendra Patel, a man once accused of attempting to kidnap a toddler at a Walmart, have notified the city of Acworth of plans to file a $25 million lawsuit over his wrongful arrest and prosecution.

Patel spent 46 days in jail before prosecutors dismissed all charges, after surveillance video showed he was trying to assist the mother, not abduct her child.

The incident occurred on March 18, 2024, at a Walmart on Cobb Parkway. The allegation arose when Patel asked a shopper, Caroline Miller, where Tylenol was. Witnesses later claimed Patel grabbed her 2-year-old son, prompting the mother to pull the child away. Arrested using store surveillance and FLOCK camera data, Patel faced charges including kidnapping, simple assault, and simple battery.

The case against Patel unraveled after his attorney obtained Walmart surveillance video. Prosecutors determined the footage showed Patel was only trying to assist the mother, Caroline Miller, not abduct her child. Shortly after the charges were dropped and Patel was released.

Patel described the ordeal as life-altering:
“In jail, people don’t take it lightly when you try to do something with the kids. I got death threats and my health deteriorated while behind bars. My business also suffered after my release.”

His attorneys argue that the arrest caused severe physical, emotional, and financial harm, and cited “unlawful arrest, incarceration, and malicious prosecution” in their notice to the city.

City officials, meanwhile, have stated they deny any and all liability. The notice is a required first step before filing a lawsuit against a government entity in Georgia, which Patel’s attorneys may pursue at any time.