BY VEENA RAO
Acworth, GA, May 5, 2025: The Cobb County Democratic Committee (CCDC) is calling for the immediate release of Mahendra Patel, a local resident who has been incarcerated for over 49 days on baseless and disproven charges of attempted kidnapping.
Patel’s court hearing is set for May 6.
According to the CCDC, Patel’s arrest stemmed from false allegations made by a woman identified as Caroline Miller. However, clear surveillance footage has since surfaced, showing no evidence of any criminal conduct on Patel’s part. Despite this, the charges have not been dropped, and Patel remains behind bars — a situation the committee describes as a “blatant miscarriage of justice.”
“We believe Mr. Patel is an innocent man who has been caught in the crosshairs of over-policing and systemic injustice,” said Essence Johnson, Chair of the CCDC. “The video evidence makes it abundantly clear that no kidnapping attempt occurred. His continued detention is unacceptable.”
The committee is demanding Cobb County District Attorney Sonya Allen dismiss all charges, seal Patel’s record, and launch an independent investigation into both the Acworth Police Department’s handling of the case and the DA’s office’s lack of action. They are also calling for criminal charges against Caroline Miller for allegedly making a false report.
The CCDC criticized the Acworth Police Department’s actions as “force over dialogue, criminalization over justice, and silence over accountability.” They also expressed frustration over the DA’s office’s continued silence despite formal outreach.
“This is not an isolated mistake,” Johnson said. “It’s part of a pattern of abuse of authority that disproportionately impacts people of color and immigrant communities.”
Supporters of Patel describe him as a peaceful and respected member of the Cobb County community. His incarceration, they say, not only robs an innocent man of his freedom but also sends a chilling message to others who may fear they, too, could become targets of false accusations and systemic failure.
The CCDC has issued a public call to action, urging residents, elected officials, and community leaders to contact DA Sonya Allen and local legislators to demand Patel’s release. They are encouraging the community to speak out in the name of justice and civil rights.
“This is a moment for bold leadership,” said Johnson. “Silence is complicity. We are calling on everyone who believes in justice to take a stand.”
As the community rallies behind Mahendra Patel, many are hopeful that increased public pressure will bring about a resolution that affirms his innocence and restores faith in the justice system.
For now, however, Patel remains in custody — a situation his supporters say is not just unjust, but unconscionable.
CCDC Demands Action
The CCDC is calling for:
- Patel’s immediate and unconditional release
- Full dismissal of all charges
- Restriction and sealing of his record
- Criminal charges against the woman who filed the report
- An independent investigation into the Acworth Police Department and DA’s office
Mahendra Patel’s Version of Events
According to Patel, he had gone to Walmart to buy a specific form of Tylenol—gel rapid release—for his elderly mother, who lives with him and suffers from osteoarthritis. Struggling to locate the product, he asked a store employee for assistance. A woman in a motorized wheelchair overheard and offered to help. She was accompanied by two small children and appeared to be having difficulty steering the cart, which eventually crashed into a display case.
When it seemed that her youngest child might fall during the commotion, Patel instinctively reached out to help. He immediately stopped when he sensed from the woman’s body language that she did not want assistance. She then pointed out the Tylenol to him, and he walked toward the shelf.
Moments later, the woman lost control of the cart again, reportedly running over her own child’s foot. Another shopper came over to assist her. Surveillance footage reportedly shows her laughing with this shopper shortly afterward. Patel, meanwhile, continued his search with the help of another employee, eventually locating the Tylenol and showing it to the woman on his way out. She gave him a thumbs-up gesture. Footage shows Patel paying for his purchase and interacting in a friendly manner with Walmart staff.
Merchant believes cultural misunderstandings may have contributed to the situation. “Mr. Patel was trying to help a woman he believed to be handicapped and in distress,” she said. “He is known in his community as a kind, gentle, and helpful man. Unfortunately, his attempt to assist was misinterpreted as something sinister.”
She said Patel, a devoted father of two daughters and the primary caregiver for his elderly mother, is well-known in his community for his kindness.
“This woman clearly took his friendliness the wrong way and jumped to a conclusion that was completely wrong based on what actually happened.”
Merchant said the arrest has caused heavy emotional and psychological distress for Patel and his family. ”
This has been very difficult for Mr. Patel and his family. He is being threatened in jail because they believe he is a child kidnapper. He had trouble getting a vegetarian diet in jail. His daughters and family are scared because of the threats, and their name is all over the internet. People he works with are being harassed and this is taking its toll on his family,” she said.
Despite the ordeal, Patel’s family has received an outpouring of support from the local Indian community. Many friends and acquaintances have offered to write letters and even appear in court to support his case.
“Mr. Patel looks forward to being released and returning to his family,” Merchant relayed. “He hopes that his name is cleared.”
