Latest news with #Acworth
CNN
08-08-2025
- CNN
Charges dropped against man accused of trying to abduct a child at a Georgia Walmart after surveillance video sows doubt
Charges have been dismissed against a man who was 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, court records show. Mahendra Patel encountered 26-year-old Caroline Miller with her two children riding a motorized cart she was driving in the March 18 incident at a Walmart in the city of Acworth, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. He asked her for help to find Tylenol, his lawyer says. Miller alleged Patel then grabbed her 2-year-old son from her, but that she pulled the child back. Patel's lawyer, however, says surveillance videos prove he was just trying to make sure the boy didn't fall from the scooter, which they said had just clipped a store display. Patel was held in a Cobb County jail for 45 days after he was indicted on April 3 by a grand jury on charges of criminal attempt to commit kidnapping, simple assault and simple battery. He was released on a $10,000 bond in early May after his lawyer, Ashleigh Merchant, presented her case as to why he should be released by showing the judge a compilation of security footage she subpoenaed from Walmart and shared with media outlets, including CNN. It was the security footage that drew public attention to the case and prompted over 90,000 people to sign a petition declaring his innocence and calling for his release. The footage is somewhat grainy and Patel's back obscures part of what is happening in his encounter with Miller. About six minutes later, video shows Patel paying for his purchase and walking out the door after pausing to speak with an employee for more than 20 seconds. While 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, prosecutors argued the video shows he grabbed the child and fled after the incident. The state agreed to enter a motion to dismiss the case and drop the charges on Wednesday, according to court records. Patel spoke with CNN affiliate WXIA after the court hearing, saying: 'I feel relieved to be honest with you. This thing was hanging over my head for a long time and our family went through a lot of hell. You know, we went through this, but today is a day of celebration and I'm thankful that I'm out.' CNN has contacted the Cobb County District Attorney's Office for comment. 'The only reason this case was resolved in our favor was because we were able to obtain the video proving our client was innocent from Walmart,' Merchant said in a statement to CNN. 'Our system needs to be aware that innocent people are falsely accused on a daily basis and without police willing to investigate before rushing to judgement, judge's willing to release people on bond while awaiting an investigation, and prosecutors willing to provide transparency with evidence, this will continue to happen,' the attorney continued. CNN has attempted to reach the accuser, Caroline Miller, who previously has spoken publicly about the incident, for comment. A family member previously told CNN that Miller declined to comment on the case. CNN's Chris Boyette and Jason Morris contributed to this report.
CNN
08-08-2025
- CNN
Charges dropped against man accused of trying to abduct a child at a Georgia Walmart after surveillance video sows doubt
Charges have been dismissed against a man who was 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, court records show. Mahendra Patel encountered 26-year-old Caroline Miller with her two children riding a motorized cart she was driving in the March 18 incident at a Walmart in the city of Acworth, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. He asked her for help to find Tylenol, his lawyer says. Miller alleged Patel then grabbed her 2-year-old son from her, but that she pulled the child back. Patel's lawyer, however, says surveillance videos prove he was just trying to make sure the boy didn't fall from the scooter, which they said had just clipped a store display. Patel was held in a Cobb County jail for 45 days after he was indicted on April 3 by a grand jury on charges of criminal attempt to commit kidnapping, simple assault and simple battery. He was released on a $10,000 bond in early May after his lawyer, Ashleigh Merchant, presented her case as to why he should be released by showing the judge a compilation of security footage she subpoenaed from Walmart and shared with media outlets, including CNN. It was the security footage that drew public attention to the case and prompted over 90,000 people to sign a petition declaring his innocence and calling for his release. The footage is somewhat grainy and Patel's back obscures part of what is happening in his encounter with Miller. About six minutes later, video shows Patel paying for his purchase and walking out the door after pausing to speak with an employee for more than 20 seconds. While 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, prosecutors argued the video shows he grabbed the child and fled after the incident. The state agreed to enter a motion to dismiss the case and drop the charges on Wednesday, according to court records. Patel spoke with CNN affiliate WXIA after the court hearing, saying: 'I feel relieved to be honest with you. This thing was hanging over my head for a long time and our family went through a lot of hell. You know, we went through this, but today is a day of celebration and I'm thankful that I'm out.' CNN has contacted the Cobb County District Attorney's Office for comment. 'The only reason this case was resolved in our favor was because we were able to obtain the video proving our client was innocent from Walmart,' Merchant said in a statement to CNN. 'Our system needs to be aware that innocent people are falsely accused on a daily basis and without police willing to investigate before rushing to judgement, judge's willing to release people on bond while awaiting an investigation, and prosecutors willing to provide transparency with evidence, this will continue to happen,' the attorney continued. CNN has attempted to reach the accuser, Caroline Miller, who previously has spoken publicly about the incident, for comment. A family member previously told CNN that Miller declined to comment on the case. CNN's Chris Boyette and Jason Morris contributed to this report.
Daily Mail
07-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Charges dropped against elderly man after mom on motorized scooter 'falsely' accused him of Walmart child abduction
Charges have been dropped against a beloved father and husband who claimed he was falsely accused of trying to kidnap a child at a Walmart in Georgia. Mahendra Patel, 57, was locked up for two months after Caroline Miller, 26, told police that he had tried to abduct her two-year-old child before fleeing the Walmart in Acworth in March. But Patel's lawyer unearthed surveillance footage that contradicted Miller's claims, showing Patel did not leave the store in a rush and was never aggressive towards the mother. Patel said he had been simply trying to help Miller, whose child appeared to be falling from the motorized scooter she was using even though she is not disabled. Prosecutors dropped the charges against Patel on Wednesday after meeting with Miller and Patel, who they said wanted to 'put the incident behind them.' The Cobb County District Attorney's Office said they are 'satisfied that the ends of justice have been met' and 'pleased to have facilitated a resolution and are encouraged by the willingness of both parties to engage in a constructive dialogue.' Patel told 11 Alive: 'I feel relieved... This thing was hanging on my head for a long time and our family went through a lot of hell. We went through this, but today is a day of celebration and I'm thankful that I'm out.' 'It made me realize there's justice out there. There are good people,' Patel added, sharing that he now plans on speaking up for the wrongfully jailed. Patel's story sparked massive anger in the community, with nearly 90,000 people signing a petition demanding his freedom and calling out racial bias against the father, who is originally from India. Despite the video evidence and demands, the father-of-two remained in jail for two months without bond, spending his 57th birthday behind bars, as Miller did various interviews about the alleged attempted kidnapping. Miller claimed Patel attempted to take her son after he stopped to ask her where the Tylenol was, leading to what she described as a 'tug of war' over the child in the aisles. Patel insisted that he grabbed the boy as he saw him falling off Miller's motorized shopping cart and attempted to save him. He said he was looking for a specific kind of Tylenol for his ailing 86-year-old mother. After pointing him toward the Tylenol, the footage showed that Miller spoke with another shopper, laughing and smiling with him moments after she supposedly fought to save her child from a kidnapping. The other patron also helped Miller's child as he nearly fell from her mobility scooter. The footage made it clear that Patel did not flee the scene. Instead, he calmly paid for his medicine before leaving. Five minutes later, Miller informed a Walmart employee that Patel tried to snatch her son. Patel was arrested three days later. When asked why Miller would make up such horrific claims against an innocent man, Patel's lawyer pointed out to Daily Mail that Miller has previously been involved in litigation against companies. In 2021 she filed a lawsuit against Lyft saying she had been raped by a driver. The lawsuit is ongoing.
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Yahoo
Charges dropped against man accused of trying to kidnap a toddler at a Walmart
Charges have been dropped against a man accused of attempting to kidnap a 2-year-old boy at a Walmart in Georgia. Mahendra Patel, of Kennesaw, was arrested and subsequently indicted by a grand jury on attempted kidnapping, battery and assault charges stemming from an incident reported at a Walmart in Acworth on March 18. On Wednesday, Cobb County prosecutors filed a motion to drop the charges, stating they are "satisfied that the ends of justice have been met" following a meeting with Patel and the toddler's mother, Caroline Miller, earlier this week. During a hearing Wednesday afternoon, Judge Gregory Poole accepted the motion. "I believe it's in the court's discretion, and obviously that's fine with me, knowing what I've seen in the matter," Poole said. "I appreciate the state looking into it." ABC News has reached out to Patel's attorney for comment. MORE: Man accused of attempted kidnapping of 2-year-old at Georgia Walmart granted bond The case garnered local and national attention after his attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, released surveillance footage that she said proves his innocence, as Patel remained in custody following his arrest. Patel was released on $10,000 bond on May 6 after spending more than six weeks in jail. During a May bond hearing, Merchant said Patel was looking for Tylenol for his mother when he approached Miller for help at the Walmart. Miller was riding in a motorized cart with her two young children at the time, though Merchant noted she is not physically disabled. Merchant said Patel was offering to hold the toddler while Miller pointed out where the medicine was, and after leaning in to reach for the child, he "immediately backs up" and puts his hands in his pockets when Miller leans back. MORE: 18-year-old speaks out after alleged kidnapping attempt caught on camera The prosecutor, Jesse Evans, said during the hearing that Patel was seen in the video tugging on the 2-year-old boy's leg while he was in his mother's lap in what he referred to as a "very bizarre set of circumstances." Evans said at the time that Miller had been "deferential to the state" regarding the case. Poole had scheduled a jury trial in the case for Aug. 18, court records show, before the charges were dropped. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alan N. Parnes DDS Announces New Website, AcworthDentalCare.com
ACWORTH, Ga., Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alan N. Parnes DDS is thrilled to announce the launch of their new website, Designed with patients in mind, the website offers a user-friendly experience and comprehensive information about the services available at their Acworth, GA dental practice. With more than 39 years of experience, Dr. Alan N. Parnes has built a reputation for providing gentle, personalized dental care to the Acworth community. The practice is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where patients feel at ease while receiving high-quality care. Their mission is to support overall oral health and well-being through advanced techniques and modern technology. The newly launched website reflects the commitment of Alan N. Parnes DDS to innovation and accessibility. Patients can now explore available services, schedule appointments online, and stay informed about oral health care, all from one convenient online hub. "We're excited to provide our patients with an updated website that makes it easier to connect with our practice," said Dr. Alan N. Parnes. " is designed to be a valuable resource for patients seeking detailed information about our services and philosophy, and we are thrilled to see it come to life." Alan N. Parnes DDS provides a full range of dental services, including: General and family dentistry Cosmetic dentistry Restorative care Dental implants Emergency dental services About Alan N. Parnes DDS Located at 6199 Highway 92, Suite #132, Acworth, GA 30102, Alan N. Parnes DDS is proud to deliver exceptional dental care in an approachable and compassionate setting. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit or contact the practice at 770-928-4434. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Alan N. Parnes DDS
