The family of a 3-year-old girl involved in a vicious pitbull attack has turned down a $30,000 donation from KFC for charity reasons.
The Wilchers instead want the money given to the Frank Stile Foundation, an organization that helps children in need. Plastic surgeons from the foundation are hoping to raise enough money to fix the facial injuries Victoria sustained during the April incident, in which three of her grandfather's 10 pitbulls charged her.
KFC offered the money to help the family pay medical bills related to the mauling, after employees reportedly told Victoria and her grandmother to leave its Jackson, Miss., location on May 15, according to The Laurel Leader-Call. An investigation did not find any evidence indicating whether an employee asked the pair to leave. Previous news reports reported the incident was a hoax.
Victoria Wilcher and her grandmother said they ate a meal at the restaurant following a visit to the doctor's office.
''The family didn't think it was appropriate to accept KFC's donation, but KFC is invited to make a donation to the Frank Stile foundation,'' stated Bill Kellum, an attorney on the case.
Anonymous sources told The Leader-Call that Wilcher's family reportedly made professionals and citizens pay for over $135,000 in gifts and cash for the surgery.
Wilcher goes for a preliminary examination at the Raymond E. Peters at the Center for Custom Prosthetics in Naples, Fla., on Monday.
KFC officials said they'd launched an investigation into the matter.
"We have always prided ourselves on respect for all people and we will continue to emphasize this to all our employees," said owner of the Jackson franchise Kirk Hannon. "In addition, regardless of the outcome of the current investigation, KFC Corporation has committed $30,000 to assist with Victoria's medical bills. Along with the KFC Corporation, we are determined to get to the truth, and address the situation appropriately."
