KFC says there’s no evidence disfigured girl was kicked out

There’s no evidence that the story of a 3-year-old who was allegedly kicked out of a KFC restaurant in Jackson, Miss., because of her facial injuries from a pit bull attack actually happened, a KFC spokesman said Tuesday.

KFC officials launched an independent investigation last week after the alleged incident involving dog attack victim Victoria Wilcher provoked outrage and lots of donations.

KFC spokesman Rick Maynard wrote in an email Tuesday that a probe conducted by a third party did not reveal “any evidence that the incident occurred and we consider the investigation closed.”

“We are honoring our commitment to make a $30,000 donation to assist with Victoria’s medical bills,” he said in the email. “We hope everyone keeps Victoria in their thoughts and prayers. She will certainly be in ours.”

Sean Murphy of the Laurel Leader-Call, citing unidentified sources, reported early Tuesday that the story about Victoria being asked to leave the restaurant because of her scarred face was a hoax.

However, a message on Victoria’s Facebook page insisted that the claim is no hoax. That post and the page itself have since been deleted.

William Kellum, the attorney for the Wilcher family, told the Clarion Ledger in Jackson that KFC’s investigation was “inconclusive.”

“It is deeply disappointing that other parties have taken opportunity to attack Victoria through social and news media outlets,” he said. “Victoria is an innocent child with very real physical and emotional scars. The focus of her family has always been, and will always be, on Victoria and making her whole again.”

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