A Georgia man has been cleared of attempted kidnapping charges after surveillance video revealed the situation at a Walmart was very different from what initially sparked alarm.
Mahendra Patel was arrested in March 2025 after a mother claimed he tried to grab her 2-year-old son while she was shopping in a mobility cart. Police took him into custody and charged him with attempted kidnapping, assault, and battery — sparking a wave of online outrage.
But now, video footage tells a different story. CCTV shows Patel approaching the woman to ask about Tylenol, and while there was a moment of contact with the child, it appears he was reaching to steady the toddler after the cart bumped a shelf — not attempting to snatch him.
After reviewing the evidence, prosecutors dropped all charges on August 7, 2025. Patel had spent over 40 days in jail before being granted bond.
In a statement, his lawyer said:
“The video clearly shows that Mr. Patel never attempted to harm this child. He was merely trying to interact safely after a bump in the store.”
Social media has since erupted, with many users calling the case a “serious lesson about rushing to judgement.” Comments range from relief for Patel to broader discussion about how allegations, particularly involving children, are handled:
- “This could have ruined a man’s life — thank goodness for video.”
- “It’s scary how quickly people assume the worst.”
- “Proof that CCTV isn’t just for shoplifting — it saves innocent people too.”
The Walmart incident highlights the growing role of video evidence in clarifying public incidents — and shows how quickly misinformation can spiral before all the facts are available.
Moral of the story? Don’t jump to conclusions — sometimes a video really is worth a thousand angry posts.
