Three months ago little Victoria Wilcher was mauled by three pit bulls in a vicious attack which left the three-year-old girl traumatised and with extensive facial injuries.
Last week, on one of her first outings since leaving hospital, Victoria was told to leave KFC because 'her face scared the other diners'. The trip to the fast food chain had been intended as a post-doctor treat for the little girl from her grandmother. Instead, they drove home with Victoria in tears.
Victoria's family shared their outrage on their Facebook page Victoria's Victories, which chronicles her recovery since the dog attack.
The Facebook update shared on Thursday reads: "Does this face look scary to you?
"Last week at KFC in Jackson, Mississippi this precious face was asked to leave because her face scared the other diners."
Victoria was injured in an attack in April, when three of her grandfather's pit bull dogs ran into his home in Simpson County, Mississippi. The dogs ripped through the back door of the home and jumped on her in the terrifying attack.
The dogs then dragged the little girl outside into the backyard, where they continued to maul her before her grandfather, Donald Mullins, and his girlfriend, Rita Tompkins, tried desperately to save her. The dogs then attacked their owners, causing Mullins to shoot them. Two of the dogs were killed. Mullins and Tompkins have since been charged with child endangerment.
Victoria was rushed to hospital with terrible facial injuries.
The first posting on her Facebook page catalogues her terrible injuries: "Victoria had bites all over her body but the most damage was to her sweet little face.
"She had a broken upper and lower jaw, broken nose, cheek bones and right eye socket. She lost her right eye completely and the ability to move the right side of her face.
"They have reconstructed her bottom jaw but cant do any more surgeries until she grows new bone in her face due to the fact that the broken pieces are to small to piece together.
"She is currently at home with a feeding tube, but doing amazing. She has already graduated from physical therapy but continues to see a speech and swallow therapist weekly."
In hospital for a month after the attack, Victoria's grandmother Kelly Mullins told local reporters:
"I took her to the doctor and I went to KFC.
"I ordered a large sweet tea and her some mashed potatoes and gravy because she was hungry. She was on a feeding tube at the time, but I figured she could just swallow (the potatoes).'
"They just told us, they said, "We have to ask you to leave because her face is disrupting our customers". (Victoria) understood exactly what they said."
Mullins said she put Victoria in the car and left. She said Victoria cried all the way home and now doesn't want to go outside.
As the story of the thoughtlessly cruel comment from the KFC employee was shared on social media. KFC quickly responded on Facebook: "Please accept our sincere apologies while we try to investigate this incident."
The fast-food chain assured the family they would look into what happened.
"We have zero tolerance for any kind of disrespectful behavior by our team members. Once we have further details, we will immediately investigate this and take action, and we wish nothing but the best for Victoria in her recovery.
"KFC launched an investigation as soon as we were made aware of this report," KFC spokesman Rick Maynard said on Friday.
'We take this very seriously, as we have zero tolerance for any kind of hurtful or disrespectful actions toward our guests. Our investigation is ongoing, but we will make things right for this beautiful little girl and her family, and will work with the franchisee to take appropriate action at the restaurant."
More on Parentdish: Disabled girl thrown out of KFC by heartless staff