Charges Against Man for Attempting to Kidnap Child Dropped

• The charges were dropped after a meeting with the child's mother.
• The suspect claimed that he was trying to help the child's mother.
• Video from the surveillance cameras showed the accused.

This is reported by ABC News, NBC News.

Charges against a man from Georgia, who was accused of attempting to kidnap a two-year-old toddler at Walmart, were dropped.

Mahendra Patel, a resident of Kennessaw, had been arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping, assault, and battery during the incident that occurred on February 18 at Walmart in Acworth.

On September 6, the Cobb County prosecutor filed a motion to dismiss the charges, stating that "sufficient evidence was not obtained" after meeting with the child's mother, Carolyn Miller.

Judge Gregory Poole accepted this motion. "This is within the discretion of the court, and, obviously, this approach works," said Poole.

Patel remained in custody for more than six weeks, before being released on a $10,000 bond on May 6.

As his attorney stated, Patel was trying to help Miller find Taylen, who had gone missing. She was in an electric vehicle with two children, although she did not have any physical limitations.

Video footage from the surveillance cameras showed Patel talking to Miller while she was in the vehicle. During the conversation, the child, who was sitting on her mother's lap, did not seem to be distressed. Patel claimed that he was trying to help rescue the child.

Prosecutor Jessi Evans described the situation as "very strange" during the hearing, where she also noted that Miller was "cooperative" regarding the case.

Tags: USA/Crime