Fried chicken chain KFC says an employee did not kick a 3-year-old pit bull attack victim out of a Mississippi restaurant because of her injuries.
Kelly Mullins, the grandmother of three-year old Victoria Wilcher claimed that an employee at a KFC restaurant near the children’s hospital in Jackson Mississippi where the young girl was being treated for injuries suffered during a pit bull mauling told them to leave because Victoria’s appearance was disturbing customers. The allegations were made earlier this month on the facebook site ‘Victoria’s Victories’ which follows the little girl’s recovery from the April attack. When the story went viral, Mullins repeated her claims on several TV news programs. KFC immediately donated $30,000 to the family for medical care and opened an investigation.
Yesterday KFC spokesman Rick Maynard said they reviewed surveillance tapes and never saw the pair enter any KFC restaurant in the area on the date claimed. They hired an independent firm to also investigate and their findings were the same. Maynard says the company will still donate promised funds towards Victoria’s medical bills and wished her a full recovery.
Family attorney Bill Kellum said Mullins stands by her story and that “Victoria’s family appreciates the actions of KFC in their investigation of this matter. They look forward to assisting KFC in what we hope will be an ongoing investigation.” Maynard said KFC considers the matter closed.
As of Wednesday morning, the facebook page and link to a fundraising site named for the injured girl have all been taken down.
KFC is a subsidiary of YUM Brands which is headquartered in Louisville.