KENNESAW, Ga. (Diya TV) — Mahendra “Mick” Patel says a routine trip to Walmart for Tylenol turned into a nightmare that nearly destroyed his life. Now, the longtime Kennesaw, Georgia resident wants a public apology on television from the people he says wrongfully branded him a criminal.

Patel, 57, has lived in the Atlanta area since 2004. He came to the United States from India in 1994 after marrying his wife, Alpa, a podiatrist. Together, they raised two daughters — one now in medical school and the other pursuing an MBA. Patel worked as an engineer before moving into real estate and became known for his community service through Kiwanis International.

That quiet life collapsed on March 21, 2025. Police arrested Patel in a dramatic traffic stop on Cobb Parkway. He was accused of trying to kidnap a child from a disabled mother inside a Walmart just three days earlier.

Patel says the allegation stemmed from a brief interaction while searching for Tylenol. He asked a woman in a motorized scooter, Caroline Miller, if she knew where the medicine was. She had two small children with her and appeared to struggle with the scooter. At one point, a child slipped, and Patel says he instinctively reached to steady the child before pulling back.

“I thanked her, apologized, and moved on,” Patel said to NRI Pulse. He later found the medicine with an employee’s help, showed it to Miller, and left the store.

But Miller later told police Patel tried to snatch her child.

Days later, Patel was driving home from Dalton when several police SUVs boxed him in near Kennesaw. Officers shouted at him to get out of his truck, guns drawn.

“I was terrified. I had no idea what was happening,” Patel said. He was handcuffed, his truck searched, and taken to the Acworth Police Department.

At Cobb County Jail, Patel was booked on assault, battery, and kidnapping charges. His blood pressure spiked, and he was sent to a hospital in shackles.

Word spread quickly inside the jail that Patel was accused of child kidnapping. “Inmates threatened me,” he recalled. “I lived in fear every day.” He lost 17 pounds, struggled with food, and leaned on his faith to survive. Meanwhile, his wife, daughters, and friends gathered evidence to prove his innocence. Defense attorney Ashley Merchant subpoenaed Walmart’s security footage.

The video showed Patel’s short, harmless interaction with Miller. It contradicted the police narrative that he tried to kidnap a child. But before the footage surfaced, prosecutors had already rushed the case to a grand jury, which indicted Patel on attempted kidnapping.

Public opinion began to shift only after the video became public. Supporters rallied at his bond hearing in May. Patel spent 47 days in jail before his release.

Patel says the ordeal left lasting scars on his family and reputation. He now demands a public apology on television from Miller, the Acworth police officers involved, and members of the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.

“They made a mistake, and they need to own up to it,” Patel said. “That’s the least they could do for me.”

He also wants broader changes to prevent others from facing similar wrongful accusations. “The police must investigate properly and verify evidence,” he said. “One false claim should not destroy a person’s life.”

Patel says his experience highlights racial bias and flaws in the justice system. “I’m a brown man and she was a white woman — bias played a role,” he said. He urged Indian and Asian American communities to stand up when members are falsely accused.

“Thank God for security cameras,” Patel said. “Without them, I would still be in jail. Imagine if there were no video.”

Although charges were dropped, Patel says he will not have closure until those who wronged him admit it publicly. Strangers now approach him to express sympathy, but the wounds remain.

“My family and I went through hell,” he said. “I expect an apology on TV. That’s the least they can do.”