Georgia Man Wrongfully Jailed 43 Days Over False Walmart Kidnapping Claim Now Suing City for $25 Million

ACWORTH, GA. — A Georgia man who spent 43 days behind bars after being wrongfully accused of trying to kidnap a child at a Walmart is now suing the city for $25 million, claiming his life was destroyed by the false allegations.

According to court documents and viral reports, Mahendra Patel was arrested and denied bond after a woman accused him of grabbing her toddler at a Walmart store. Police quickly tracked Patel down using surveillance footage, arrested him on attempted kidnapping charges, and jailed him for more than a month — before the same video footage proved his innocence.

False Accusation Sparked Police Hunt

Authorities say the case began when a mother shopping with her young daughter called police, claiming that Patel had “suddenly reached for her toddler” in what she described as an attempted kidnapping.

Police used Walmart’s security cameras to identify Patel’s vehicle and arrested him soon after. He was booked, denied bail, and held for six weeks while investigators reviewed the evidence.

“They hunted me down and put me in jail for something that never happened,” Patel later said through his attorney. “They played with my life.”

Surveillance Video Cleared Him

As the investigation continued, the same surveillance footage used to locate Patel ultimately disproved the mother’s account. Video reportedly showed no evidence of Patel grabbing the child, nor any action that supported the claim of attempted abduction.

Once the footage was reviewed in full, the case was dropped and Patel was released — but not before spending 43 days in custody and enduring what his legal team described as “severe reputational, emotional, and financial harm.”

$25 Million Lawsuit Filed Against the City

Patel has since filed a $25 million federal lawsuit against the City of Acworth and local law enforcement, accusing officers of wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, and negligence.

His attorneys argue that police acted too hastily, relying on incomplete video evidence and failing to corroborate the woman’s claims before making the arrest.

“Mr. Patel’s life was turned upside down because of a reckless investigation,” his lawyer said. “The evidence that cleared him was available from day one — but instead, he was treated like a criminal.”

Public Reaction and Debate Over Accountability

The case has reignited national debate over false accusations, racial profiling, and police accountability. Social media users have expressed outrage, with many calling for reforms in how authorities handle claims involving children and public safety.

Supporters say Patel deserves full compensation for the trauma he endured, while others note that the mother’s misinterpretation — though tragic — may have been a product of fear rather than malice.

“This isn’t just about money,” Patel said. “It’s about justice. I want to make sure this never happens to anyone else.”

Ongoing Legal Battle

The city of Acworth has not commented publicly on the pending lawsuit, citing active litigation. No charges were filed against the woman who made the false report.

Patel’s attorneys said they expect the case to move forward later this year, seeking damages for loss of income, defamation, emotional distress, and wrongful incarceration.

The story has gone viral online, drawing attention to the cost of false accusations and the flaws in the justice system that can leave innocent people trapped for weeks — even when exculpatory evidence exists.

Readers can follow developing updates on the lawsuit and community response at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.