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Kathleen Edward's Grandma, Father Speak Out About Taunting

Updated: Wednesday, 13 Oct 2010, 12:47 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 12 Oct 2010, 10:59 PM EDT

Trenton, MI

myFOXDetroit.com Staff - The story has outraged thousands of people across the country. The despicable act of taunting a young girl who is dying from  Huntington's Disease Kathleen Edward's grandmother Rebecca Rose and her father, Robert Edward talk to Fox 2's Monica Gayle about where things stand since this story first made air.

Play the video in the player to view the exclusive interview.

The question is why did the Petkovs do this in the first place? Why did Jennifer Petkov post a photo of 7-year-old Kathleen Edward's face as part of a "skull and crossbones" on Facebook? The little girl is dying from a rare brain disorder. Why did Petkov post another photo of Kathleen's mother, Laura Edward, wrapped in the arms of the Grim Reaper? Laura Edward also died from Huntington's Disease.

Why did Jennifer's husband Scott Petkov paint a pick up truck with tombstones, place a coffin in the bed of the truck and park it in front of Rebecca Rose's house, the place where Kathleen and her father live?

The answer given to Fox 2's Ron Savage in the original report, "to burn Rebecca Rose's ass." That's what Jennifer Petkov said. Hear it with your own ears, play Savage's original report .

Rebecca Rose's answer says it all started about three years ago when she threw a birthday party for her youngest daughter, who is also handicapped. Jennifer Petkov texted that she wanted her kids to come to the party, but no one responded to the text until it was too late. According to Rose, Petkov became incensed and then stood on her front porch saying she did not want her kids to play with these "F-in retards" anyway. Rose says things simply escalated from there.

Over the past three years the Petkov and Rose family have been to court for mediation to settle disputes between them. Currently there is a personal protection order (PPO) in place against the Petkovs.

Since this story first made air on October 7th, the Petkovs have apologized, the Facebook posts removed, the coffin dismantled and the truck has been repainted. Thousands have watched the story online in places as far away as Japan, Europe and Australia. The backlash against the Petkovs resulted in an egged-house, people ordering delivery pizza and thousands of messages on Facebook speaking out against the hateful act perpetrated by the couple.

During Monica Gayle's in studio interview she asked Robert and Rebecca if they thought the apology given by Jennifer Petkov was sincere. Robert: "It wasn't sincere, it didn't even sound sincere... they are just scared and they don't want the attention anymore." Rebecca Rose says Jennifer Petkov made this remark after the apology was made, while Petkov was going from her house to her car she said over and over "I don't give an "F" who's dying."

Watch the video in the player to hear the entire response to this question.


Robert Edward says he thinks the harassment will never stop until one family moves from the neighborhood.

In the meantime, the support has been overwhelming for the Kathleen's family. Hans Masing of  Tree Town Toys in Ann Arbor has raised more than $12,000 for a shopping spree for Kathleen. Dozens of people have made private donations. Whole Facebook sites have been created in support of the Kathleen. A rally is planned for Saturday, Oct. 23 from 3 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Elizabeth Park in Trenton. Information, click here or go to Facebook and search "We Love You Kathleen."

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