A man spent 45 days in jail, accused of trying to abduct a child at Walmart. A judge granted a bond after lawyer shows video
Mahendra Patel, who is facing attempted kidnapping and other charges after a mother accused him of trying to grab her 2-year-old son from her at a Georgia Walmart, has been granted a $10,000 bond after being held in a Cobb County jail for 45 days.
'I'm going to grant this man a bond. He's entitled to a bond,' Cobb County Superior Court Judge A. Gregory Poole said in court Tuesday. Patel was released later in the day, his attorney told CNN.
Patel's lawyer, Ashleigh Merchant, presented her case as to why he should be released by showing the judge a compilation of security footage that she subpoenaed from Walmart and shared with media outlets including CNN. They show the March 18 incident at a Walmart in the city of Acworth, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.
Merchant said Patel was just trying to make sure the boy didn't fall from a scooter his mother was riding on with him in her lap.
Patel had the support of numerous people who were in another room at the courthouse, including friends, relatives and neighbors, the attorney told the judge.
The footage is somewhat grainy and Patel's back obscures part of what is happening.
Mahendra Patel is seen interacting with a woman at a Walmart. CNN has highlighted a portion of this image. - The Merchant Law Firm P.C.
Prosecutors argued the video shows Patel grabbed the child, he shouldn't have and he fled after the incident.
Merchant contended Patel did not flee the scene, and that he has strong ties in the community, such as property ownership, a wife and daughters, volunteering at local nonprofits and being a member of organizations such as the Kiwanis Club.
Cobb County Chief Assistant District Attorney Jesse Evans said Patel was previously convicted of a felony for a financial scheme and was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
'I'm not worried about that. I don't believe he poses a risk to the community,' said Poole. 'The evidence from the video, and I won't comment on what I think the video really shows, as far as guilt or innocence. It's not my job today. But the facts do show me that he hung around, and I don't find that he's a flight risk based upon what I saw in the video,' Poole said.
Caroline Miller, 26, told police Patel asked for help finding Tylenol at the Walmart. She said Patel tried to grab her 2-year-old son from her, but she pulled the child back.
CNN has attempted to reach Miller, who previously has spoken publicly about the incident, for comment. When reached by phone, a family member told CNN that Miller declined to comment.
A grand jury indicted Patel on April 3 on charges of criminal attempt to commit kidnapping, simple assault and simple battery, according to court documents.
Patel, 57, spent his birthday in jail, according to his attorney.
For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Senator Involved In DHS Dust-Up: Imagine What's Happening To Normal People If This Happened To Me
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) has some questions in the wake of his scuffle at Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's Los Angeles press conference on Thursday. Padilla was pushed out of the room and then detained after trying to confront Noem about the aggressive uptick in ICE raids currently sweeping across Southern California as she addressed reporters. And during a Sunday appearance on CNN's 'State of the Union,' he wondered how authorities are treating everyday people if they were willing to manhandle and handcuff a sitting senator in full view of cameras. 'If that's how they treat a senator trying to ask a question ―' he told Dana Bash. 'Then imagine, not what they can do, what they are doing to so many people without titles.' While DHS claims Padilla 'lunged' at the secretary, none of the footage from the incident appears to show that happening. During his appearance on 'State of the Union,' the senator also shut down DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin's suggestion that he was trying 'to manufacture a viral moment' during Thursday's event. Telling Bash how he was 'escorted' into the room by a National Guard member and an FBI agent while already at the federal building for a separate briefing, Padilla said, 'It was an opportunity to ask a question and do my job as a senator, do my job as a senator in questioning the cabinet secretary.' Watch the senator's full appearance on 'State of the Union' here: Democrats Push Republicans For Kristi Noem Testimony On Alex Padilla Incident GOP Strategist Warns Republicans Alex Padilla Incident Sets 'Dangerous Precedent' Sen. Alex Padilla Manhandled, Handcuffed, Forcibly Removed From Kristi Noem Presser
CNN
8 hours ago
- CNN
Clarissa Ward visits Palestinian village in Israel where Iranian rocket struck a home
CNN's Clarissa Ward reports from Tamra, a village in northern Israel inhabited by predominantly Palestinian citizens of Israel, where multiple civilians were killed after an Iranian rocket struck their home.
CNN
8 hours ago
- CNN
Scene outside assassinated state representative's home
Scene outside assassinated state representative's home CNN's Whitney Wild is outside the home of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, who was shot and killed in a "politically motivated assassination" along with her husband early Saturday morning. Police are still searching for the suspect. 00:41 - Source: CNN Shooting at Salt Lake City 'No Kings' march Officers responded to gunshots at a 'No Kings' march in Salt Lake City, Utah and took three people into custody in relation to the incident. One person was transferred to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Salt Lake City police said the motive for the shooting was under investigation. 00:26 - Source: CNN See moment projectile strikes near key military facility in Tel Aviv Video verified by CNN captures the dramatic moment a missile struck in vicinity of the Kirya, an area of Tel Aviv that's home to an urban military base housing Israel's Defense Forces. 00:33 - Source: CNN Nic Robertson describes downed projectile in Israel CNN's Nic Robertson reports at the site of a smoldering projectile on the road to Tel Aviv after a fresh wave of Iranian missile strikes. 00:30 - Source: CNN Missile interceptor launches from Jerusalem CNN's Jerusalem bureau chief and correspondent Oren Liebermann describes the moment an interceptor launched in the distance behind him during an on-air report from Jerusalem. 00:47 - Source: CNN Oren Liebermann reports inside a bomb shelter in Israel CNN's Jerusalem Bureau Chief Oren Liebermann reports from inside a bomb shelter as Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel after the unprecedented attack on Iran. 01:37 - Source: CNN Nuclear deal between US and Iran now uncertain after Israel attack The nuclear deal between the US and Iran could be in jeopardy following Israel's attack on Iran. CNN's Kaitlan Collins has the details. 00:41 - Source: CNN Marines guard federal building in LA Approximately 200 active-duty Marines have taken over from the National Guard troops who were previously deployed according to Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, who oversees the 4,700 troops who have been deployed to the LA area in recent days. They 'will focus on the protection of federal property and personnel,' Sherman said, and will not be performing law enforcement activities. The Marines will be equipped with 'standard crowd control gear, which includes a helmet, their face shield, a shield, baton and gas masks,' according to Sherman. 00:44 - Source: CNN Kanye West makes brief appearance at Diddy trial courthouse Kanye West, who goes by Ye, was briefly at the courthouse where Sean "Diddy" Combs is on trial. A source close to West previously told CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister that he would like to attend the trial to show support for Combs. 00:27 - Source: CNN 'We will kill you': Florida sheriff issues stern warning to protesters As protests over the Trump administration's immigration raids continue in Los Angeles and other cities, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and law enforcement officials warned that demonstrators could face a forceful response in the state, CNN affiliate WESH reports. 00:33 - Source: CNN Analysis: Why Israel attacked Iran now CNN's Oren Liebermann explains the reasons why Israel decided to attack Iran in unprecedented strikes targeting its nuclear program and senior military leaders. 01:49 - Source: CNN Israel launches 'preemptive strike' on Iran Israel launched strikes against Iran, targeting its nuclear program and long-range missile capabilities, an Israeli military official said. CNN's Kaitlan Collins reports. 01:38 - Source: CNN Survivor of India plane crash appears to walk away from site in video Video appears to show the sole survivor of a 242 passenger plane crash walking away from the rubble. 00:27 - Source: CNN Video shows Sen. Padilla handcuffed on the ground at DHS event Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem separately spoke to the press after Padilla was forcibly removed and placed in handcuffs at Noem's press conference in Los Angeles, California. 01:19 - Source: CNN Sen. Padilla forcibly removed from Noem's press conference Democratic Senator Alex Padilla of California was confronted by security and forcibly removed from a news conference being held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles. 00:14 - Source: CNN Expert examines CCTV footage to see what happened to Air India flight before crash Newly released CCTV footage shows Air India Flight 171 take off before crashing moments later. CNN aviation analyst Miles O'Brien offers his analysis. 00:56 - Source: CNN Passenger survives Air India plane crash At least one passenger on board Air India Flight 171 to London Gatwick survived, local police said. According to Reuters, senior police officer Vidhi Chaudhary said the man had been in seat 11A and added that there may be a few more survivors in the hospital. 00:19 - Source: CNN Video shows moment plane crashes in India Social media video shows flames and thick smoke billowing into the air, as an Air India passenger plane, carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff. The plane had departed an airport in Ahmedabad, India and was bound for London's Gatwick Airport. 00:20 - Source: CNN Trump draws boos and cheers at Kennedy Center President Donald Trump drew charged reactions of both admiration and ire at the Kennedy Center's opening night of "Les Misérables." 00:29 - Source: CNN LAPD chief pushes back on Trump CNN's Kaitlan Collins talks with LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell who says he did not support President Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles, despite statements Trump made earlier. 01:33 - Source: CNN Meatpacking employees block ICE cars with their bodies following raid Workers at a meatpacking plant in Omaha Nebraska tried to block ICE agents by throwing themselves on top of the cars to block their path following a raid on the business. More than 70 undocumented people were detained, the largest to take place in Nebraska since the start of the Trump's second term. 01:10 - Source: CNN Elon Musk called President Trump on Monday night expressing regret CNN's Kaitlan Collins reports the latest details on Elon Musk's Monday call with President Donald Trump and what it means for their relationship. 00:57 - Source: CNN Violence enters third day in Northern Ireland Unrest has spread to more towns in Northern Ireland after violence initially started in Ballymena. The third night of disturbances saw a leisure center, that had been recently used to shelter immigrants, set ablaze by masked youths. 00:45 - Source: CNN "Jane' testifies for fifth day in Combs trial 'Jane" continued cross-examination in the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial for her fifth day. Prosecutors expect to rest their case at some point next week. CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister reports. 02:18 - Source: CNN Trump says why his second term is different from the first In an interview with The New York Post's Pod Force One, President Trump explained why he "can be stronger on an attack on Los Angeles" in his second term compared to his first. Trump also said he told Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, he planned to deploy National Guard troops before doing so. 01:09 - Source: CNN
