Man arrested, accused of trying to kidnap child at Cobb County Walmart, police say

COBB COUNTY, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A man was arrested on Saturday morning after police say he tried to snatch a child at a Cobb County Walmart earlier in the week.

Mahendra Patel, a 56-year-old from Kennesaw, faces charges of simple assault, simple battery and kidnapping. He is being held at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center with no bond.

On Tuesday, Acworth police were called to the Walmart Supercenter at 3105 Cobb Parkway. The mother, alongside witnesses, said a man asked her a question about Tylenol before grabbing her child.

“We tug of warred for I’d say probably about ten seconds. I said no what are you doing?” said Caroline Miller, the toddler’s mom.

Miller pulled her child back, and the suspect ran away, according to police. The child was not injured in the incident.

“It’s definitely not something you ever prepare yourself for, or can ever prepare yourself for. But being reminded that it happens every day and it can happen to you is huge,” said Miller.

Officers ask anyone with information to call the Acworth Police Department at 770-974-1232.