Georgia Man Files Federal Lawsuit After Wrongful Kidnapping Arrest at Walmart
A Georgia man who spent more than six weeks in jail after being falsely accused of attempting to kidnap a toddler at a Walmart has now filed a federal lawsuit, claiming wrongful prosecution and severe civil rights violations. The case highlights significant concerns over police and prosecutorial misconduct in the United States.
Details of the Arrest and Incarceration
57-year-old Mahendra Patel of Acworth, Georgia, was arrested in March 2025 following a report from a shopper who alleged he tried to abduct her 2-year-old son inside a Walmart Supercenter. Patel remained incarcerated in the Cobb County Jail for over 40 days without bond before the charges were ultimately dismissed later that year. The arrest occurred shortly after the Walmart incident, with Patel being pulled over and arrested at gunpoint, adding to the trauma of the situation.
The Lawsuit and Allegations
On February 9, 2026, Patel filed a formal complaint in an Atlanta federal court. The lawsuit names multiple defendants, including the accuser Caroline Miller, the Acworth Police Department, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office, and several investigators involved in the case. Patel’s legal team asserts that the charges were aggressively pursued despite clear surveillance video evidence exonerating him, showing he was merely assisting the child who appeared unsteady while he shopped for medicine.
Patel emphasized his innocence, stating at a news conference, "I went to get Tylenol and got the biggest headache of my life." The lawsuit seeks monetary compensation to cover various losses, including lost wages, emotional distress, reputational damage, and legal fees, while also demanding punitive measures against the defendants for their actions.
Evidence and Civil Rights Violations
According to the complaint, police and prosecutors ignored or concealed crucial evidence, such as the surveillance footage that proved Patel’s innocence. They allegedly had no reasonable basis to charge him, leading to violations of his constitutional rights. Patel’s lawyer highlighted that this case exemplifies a broader systemic issue where law enforcement agencies proceed with charges even when evidence clearly indicates the accused did nothing wrong.
The emotional and financial toll on Patel has been substantial, as reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, detailing his suffering from the arrest and subsequent jail time in 2025. This lawsuit aims to hold the responsible parties accountable and prevent similar injustices in the future.
