ATLANTA, Ga. (Diya TV) — A Georgia man who spent more than six weeks in jail after being accused of trying to kidnap a toddler at a Walmart has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, claiming wrongful prosecution and serious violations of his constitutional rights.

Mahendra Patel, 57, of Acworth, says the arrest turned his life upside down. He filed the complaint Monday in federal court in Atlanta. Patel argues that police and prosecutors ignored clear video evidence that showed he committed no crime. The lawsuit follows an incident in March 2025 that led to his arrest inside a Walmart Supercenter in Acworth.

Patel was shopping for medicine when a woman accused him of trying to abduct her 2-year-old son. The woman, identified in the lawsuit as Caroline Miller, told police that Patel attempted to take her child inside the store. Officers stopped Patel shortly after he left the store. According to the complaint, police pulled him over and arrested him at gunpoint.

Authorities charged Patel with attempted kidnapping. A judge denied him bond. He remained in the Cobb County Jail for more than 40 days. Patel’s attorneys say surveillance video from Walmart clearly showed that he did nothing wrong. They say the footage captured Patel helping the toddler, who appeared unsteady on his feet. Patel said he simply tried to assist the child while shopping for Tylenol.

“I went to get Tylenol and got the biggest headache of my life,” Patel said during a news conference.

Later in 2025, prosecutors dismissed the case. No conviction followed. But Patel says the damage had already been done.

On Feb. 9, 2026, Patel filed a federal lawsuit in Atlanta. The complaint names Miller, the Acworth Police Department, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office, and several investigators. Patel claims wrongful prosecution and violations of his civil rights. His lawyers argue that police and prosecutors ignored or concealed key evidence. They say officials had no probable cause to pursue the charge.

The lawsuit accuses authorities of pressing forward with the case even though the Walmart surveillance video contradicted the kidnapping claim. Patel’s legal team says investigators failed to conduct a fair and thorough review of the evidence before seeking charges. Patel seeks financial compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and harm to his reputation. He also requests punitive damages and payment of attorneys’ fees.

Patel’s attorneys argue that the case reflects a broader problem within the criminal justice system. They say law enforcement officers and prosecutors sometimes move forward with charges despite weak or conflicting evidence. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Patel told reporters that the arrest and jail stay caused lasting trauma. He says he lost income while behind bars. He also says the accusation damaged his standing in the community.

The lawsuit alleges that officials either ignored or failed to disclose surveillance footage that supported Patel’s account. His attorneys argue that this action violated his constitutional rights, including his right to due process. Patel maintains that the video proves his innocence. He says he never tried to take the child and only acted out of concern.

Patel says the arrest affected every part of his life. He spent more than a month in jail without bond. He says that time caused financial strain and emotional pain for him and his family. He also says the public accusation of attempted kidnapping caused severe reputational damage. News of the arrest spread quickly in the community. Patel says the stigma remains, even after prosecutors dismissed the case. His legal team argues that the lawsuit aims to restore his name and hold officials accountable.

The defendants have not yet responded publicly to the lawsuit. The case now moves through federal court, where a judge will review Patel’s claims. Civil rights lawsuits against police departments and district attorneys’ offices often face legal challenges. Courts typically examine whether officials had probable cause and whether they acted within the scope of their duties. For Patel, the lawsuit represents an effort to seek justice after what he calls a wrongful arrest.

“I did nothing wrong,” Patel said. “The video shows that.”