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KFC: No evidence found to support claims by scarred girl's family

Victoria Wilcher's family says she was asked to leave restaurant

Victoria Wilcher is recovering from a dog attack.
Victoria Wilcher is recovering from a dog attack.
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KFC: No evidence found to support claims by scarred girl's family
Victoria Wilcher's family says she was asked to leave restaurant
The owner of a Jackson KFC franchise said an intensive investigation finds no evidence that a 3-year-old victim of a pit bull attack was turned away because her scars were disturbing customers.Hannon Food Services issued a statement to 16 WAPT News Tuesday that said hundreds of hours were spent reviewing video surveillance at the KFC restaurant on Woodrow Wilson Drive, where Victoria Wilcher's family said the incident took place. In addition, all of the employees at that location were interviewed, the company said."As of today, neither Hannon Food Services nor the outside firm involved in the consultation has found any evidence to verify that the incident took place at our restaurant on Woodrow Wilson Drive. Nevertheless, we'll continue to exhaust every possible avenue until we're absolutely sure we have all the facts," the statement read.Click here to watch the report.Company officials said they would like to meet with Victoria's family "so they can provide us with any additional information they would like for us to be aware of.""We feel terrible for Victoria and pray for her full and complete recovery, but at the same time I am relieved to know that nobody that worked for our company mistreated her in any way or said what was alleged," said franchise owner Mitch Hannon. "It did not happen and I am relieved to know that it didn't."William S. Kellum III, an attorney representing Victoria's family, responded in a statement emailed to 16 WAPT News. "It is unfortunate that Victoria and her family are being vilified on what appears to be the result of an inconclusive investigation conducted by KFC and/or its agents that implies Victoria's story is a 'hoax.' It is deeply disappointing that other parties have taken opportunity to attack Victoria through social and news media outlets. 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," Kellum said.Victoria's grandmother, Kelly Mullins, that her description of events is true and accurate, Kellum said. "(The family) looks forward to assisting KFC in what we hope will be an ongoing investigation," Kellum said. Earlier in the day, 16 WAPT News reported that the Laurel Leader Call cited unnamed sources that claimed the family made up the story. Click here to read article.A status update on the Facebook page Victoria's Victories denied that the story was a hoax. The page, which is run by Victoria's aunt, Teri Rials Bates, provides updates on the girl's recovery."I promise it's not a hoax. I never thought any of this would blow up the way it has. The article circling the web calling this a hoax is untrue. The article itself says the investigation is not complete. It is not over until KFC releases a statement. The media outlet running this story is not connected with KFC. The family has not asked for anything. An attorney is handling all the media publicity for the family pro bono. Please do not believe untrue media. I have personally watched this family go without to provide for Victoria. They have not and would not do anything to hurt Victoria in any way," the post said.KFC pledged $30,000 to help with the girl's medical bills. The Laurel Leader Call reported the family has raised more than $135,000 since the story aired on June 13.

The owner of a Jackson KFC franchise said an intensive investigation finds no evidence that a 3-year-old victim of a pit bull attack was turned away because her scars were disturbing customers.

Hannon Food Services issued a statement to 16 WAPT News Tuesday that said hundreds of hours were spent reviewing video surveillance at the KFC restaurant on Woodrow Wilson Drive, where Victoria Wilcher's family said the incident took place. In addition, all of the employees at that location were interviewed, the company said.

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"As of today, neither Hannon Food Services nor the outside firm involved in the consultation has found any evidence to verify that the incident took place at our restaurant on Woodrow Wilson Drive. Nevertheless, we'll continue to exhaust every possible avenue until we're absolutely sure we have all the facts," the statement read.

Click here to watch the report.

Company officials said they would like to meet with Victoria's family "so they can provide us with any additional information they would like for us to be aware of."

"We feel terrible for Victoria and pray for her full and complete recovery, but at the same time I am relieved to know that nobody that worked for our company mistreated her in any way or said what was alleged," said franchise owner Mitch Hannon. "It did not happen and I am relieved to know that it didn't."

William S. Kellum III, an attorney representing Victoria's family, responded in a statement emailed to 16 WAPT News. 

"It is unfortunate that Victoria and her family are being vilified on what appears to be the result of an inconclusive investigation conducted by KFC and/or its agents that implies Victoria's story is a 'hoax.' It is deeply disappointing that other parties have taken opportunity to attack Victoria through social and news media outlets. 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," Kellum said.

Victoria's grandmother, Kelly Mullins, that her description of events is true and accurate, Kellum said. 

"(The family) looks forward to assisting KFC in what we hope will be an ongoing investigation," Kellum said. 

Earlier in the day, 16 WAPT News reported that the Laurel Leader Call cited unnamed sources that claimed the family made up the story. Click here to read article.

A status update on the Facebook page Victoria's Victories denied that the story was a hoax. The page, which is run by Victoria's aunt, Teri Rials Bates, provides updates on the girl's recovery.

"I promise it's not a hoax. I never thought any of this would blow up the way it has. The article circling the web calling this a hoax is untrue. The article itself says the investigation is not complete. It is not over until KFC releases a statement. The media outlet running this story is not connected with KFC. The family has not asked for anything. An attorney is handling all the media publicity for the family pro bono. Please do not believe untrue media. I have personally watched this family go without to provide for Victoria. They have not and would not do anything to hurt Victoria in any way," the post said.

KFC pledged $30,000 to help with the girl's medical bills. The Laurel Leader Call reported the family has raised more than $135,000 since the story aired on June 13.