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Grandmother: 3-year-old dog attack victim turned away from KFC

WASHINGTON — “Does this face look scary to you?”

That is what the grandmother of a three-year-old dog attack victim asked on her Facebook page this week after she said a KFC employee in Jackson, Mississippi, asked them to leave because the little girl’s face was “disrupting” the rest of the customers.

“Last week at KFC in Jackson MS this precious face was asked to leave because her face scared the other diners. I personally will never step foot in another KFC again and will be personally writing the CEO,” wrote Kelly Mullins, who said she had brought her granddaughter Victoria Wilcher to the restaurant after a doctor’s appointment last week.

The little girl had been in the hospital for a month recuperating from a brutal attack by three pit bulls in April. The pit bulls were owned by the girl’s grandfather and his girlfriend.

Victoria lost an eye, and she retains not only scars but is paralyzed on the right side of her face.

She cried all the way home from KFC, her grandmother said.

“She’s 3 years old and she’s embarrassed about what she looks like,” she told a local TV station. “She’s embarrassed, and I hate it because she shouldn’t be. It ain’t her fault.”

See the video that’s gone viral since that Facebook post on June 12:

KFC officials have replied to Mullins’ Facebook post, saying:

“Please accept our sincere apologies while we try to investigate this incident. If you could help provide details of the incident at social.media@sertec.com and we will look into this immediately. 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.”

In another statement, KFC official Rick Maynard said, “We have been in touch with the family and are committed to doing something appropriate for this beautiful little girl.”

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. 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But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. 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