Lawsuit Alleges Civil Rights Violations After Arrest in Walmart Incident

Cobb County, GA – A Cobb County man who spent more than 40 days in jail on attempted kidnapping charges is now suing local officials and his accuser in federal court, claiming his constitutional rights were violated. Mahendra “Mick” Patel filed a civil rights lawsuit naming the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office, the Acworth Police Department, and Caroline Miller, the woman who accused him of trying to kidnap her toddler inside a Walmart store.

Patel’s attorney, Solomon M. Radner, said the lawsuit seeks accountability and damages, alleging authorities pursued criminal charges without probable cause and ignored surveillance footage that his legal team says showed no crime occurred. “There was a concerted effort to make sure Mr. Patel went down for a crime they knew he did not commit,” Radner said. “I want people to get fired, I want people to be held accountable,” Radner added.

The case stems from a March incident in which Patel said he approached Miller to ask for help locating Tylenol. According to the complaint, surveillance video shows Miller riding a motorized scooter and standing to point toward the medication aisle. Patel’s attorneys contend the footage shows him briefly reaching toward the child to steady the toddler as Miller stood — not attempting an abduction. Shortly afterward, Miller contacted police and reported an attempted kidnapping. Patel was arrested and charged. The charges were later dropped.

Patel says the arrest upended his life. “A simple trip to Walmart to get Tylenol turned into a nightmare,” he said.

Radner alleges investigators sought warrants and advanced claims despite video evidence that contradicted the accusation. He said the extended detention — more than 40 days behind bars — caused lasting damage to Patel’s reputation and personal life. “How much money is it worth to be facing decades in prison?” Radner asked during a press conference. “How much money is it worth to have your name plastered all over the news as a kidnapper?”

The Acworth Police Department said it had not yet formally received the lawsuit but would review and respond once it does.

The federal case seeks compensation and disciplinary accountability for those involved.