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.”
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.
Merchant credited that footage with helping end the matter.
“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,” she said in a statement. “It is disappointing that this video was kept from us and from the public and from the Magistrate Court who denied Mr. Patel’s bond.”
She added they are pleased and thankful that Judge Poole granted the bond and the district attorney dismissed the case — actions “which have helped to allow Mr. Patel to move on with his life.”
