Charges dropped against man accused in Cobb Walmart kidnapping case

  =====  MDJ Script/ Top Stories for August 8th 

Publish Date: August 8th 

 

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From the BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.  

  

Today is Friday, August 8th and Happy Birthday to Roger Federer 

 

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal 

1. Charges dropped against man accused in Cobb Walmart kidnapping case
2. Cobb hosts annual night of unity between residents and public safety officials
3. Traffic stop in Austell leads to meth trafficking charges

 

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on peaches 

 

All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!  

 

BREAK: Ingles Markets 10 

 

STORY 1: Charges dropped against man accused in Cobb Walmart kidnapping case 

After months of stress, accusations, and uncertainty, Mahendra Patel is finally free. On Wednesday, prosecutors dropped all charges against the Cobb County man, who had been accused of attempting to kidnap a toddler at a north Cobb Walmart back in March. 

Patel, who spent 45 days in jail and lost 17 pounds surviving on bread and peanut butter, called the ordeal “a punishment in itself.” His mugshot? Still everywhere. His reputation? Shattered. But now, at least, he can breathe. 

Surveillance footage, which Patel’s attorney Ashleigh Merchant said was key to clearing his name, showed Patel briefly interacting with the child’s mother, Caroline Miller, while searching for Tylenol. What prosecutors initially called an attempted kidnapping was, in Patel’s words, “a misunderstanding blown out of proportion.” 

A Change.org petition supporting Patel gathered over 92,000 signatures, and even inmates who once threatened him apologized after reading about his case. 

 

STORY 2: Cobb hosts annual night of unity between residents and public safety officials 

Badges, block parties, and a whole lot of community spirit filled Jim Miller Park for Cobb County’s National Night Out. 

Since 1984, this nationwide event has been all about building bridges between public safety officers and the people they serve. And on Tuesday night? It was all smiles, dunk tanks, and even axe throwing. 

Families wandered through booths from the Cobb Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, 911 dispatchers, and more. Kids laughed, parents asked questions, and stuffed K-9 toys were sold to support the real-life furry officers. 

For Zanetia Henry, the night was personal. After losing her son Dre to gun violence in 2019, she’s dedicated herself to uniting communities through her nonprofit, Operation Recovery. “Unity takes everyone,” she said, presenting awards to officers who’ve gone above and beyond. 

Cobb Police Capt. Jason Best, reflecting on his 28 years of service, said it best: “We usually see people at their worst. Tonight, we get to just talk—no tickets, no arrests. Just people connecting.” 

 

 

 

STORY 3: T