KENNESAW — A daycare center owner wants to set the record straight about the man accused of trying to kidnap a two year old from a Walmart.
Angelia Brinson says Mahendra Patel is her landlord, and doesn’t own her daycare.
Brinson told Channel 2′s Tom Jones some parents were nervous after they received false information about Patel’s role at Genesis Learning Academy of Kennesaw.
She got emotional while talking about how this is affecting her and her business. Jones asked why was this so difficult for her.
“Because of what he’s done,” she said through tears. “I love what I do.”
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She says it pains her that the arrest of the man who owns the property her daycare sits on is causing her so much grief.
“They’re concerned about the safety of their children. They’re concerned,” she said.
Brinson’s ordeal began after Acworth police arrested Patel. Caroline Miller says he tried to kidnap her 2-year-old son in the Acworth Walmart on Cobb Parkway North.
“We’re tug of warring,” she described trying to keep Patel from getting away with her child.
Patel’s attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, says he wasn’t trying to kidnap the child. She says Patel was trying to stop the child from falling.
“This is not some predator that’s roaming the street,” Merchant said.
Brinson was shocked to see Patel, her landlord, on the news.
Then, someone began posting on social media Patel owned her daycare center. Brinson wants everyone to know that’s not true.
“It’s being presented as he owns it, and he just owns the property,” she said.
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She says Patel only comes to the daycare to pick up the rent check and is never left alone around kids. Brinson says she will now only deal with Patel through their lawyers.
“I mean, look what’s he’s done. Because of his actions it’s bringing to me,” she said.
Brinson said it’s all taking an emotional toll on her.
“I think I’ll need counseling after this because this is a lot for me,” she said.
Brinson says this has been very difficult for her and her staff. She says she will do whatever she can to protect the kids, and she wants to assure parents Patel won’t be anywhere near them.
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