Victoria Wilcher (Photo: Facebook and Google maps) 
 
 Wednesday update 
 
 The fundraising website that raised thousands of dollars for the Victoria Victories cause, at the center of an alleged hoax, has suspended the account and is working to refund donation, an official statement said. 
 
 The website, GoFundMe, released an updated statement Wednesday afternoon: 
 
 "ongoing uncertainty surrounding the 'Victoria's Victories' online fundraising effort, GoFundMe has temporarily suspended the campaign until the full truth is made clear. 
 
 Donors wishing to request a refund may do so at:http://www.gofundme.com/contact." 
 
 Grandma, lawyer stand by KFC story 
 
 Kelly Mullins, the grandmother of the 3-year-old Simpson County girl mauled by pit bulls in April, is aware that public sentiment has turned against her. 
 
 She understands many choose to believe KFC's findings that there's no evidence a restaurant employee said the girl's face was scaring other customers and asked them to leave. 
 
 "I've heard about all the nasty comments on the Internet, and I'm very, very upset about it," Mullins told The Clarion-Ledger Tuesday. "What is getting me through this is, I know the truth and the truth has to come out at some point." 
 
 A story appearing Monday in the Laurel Leader-Call newspaper quoted anonymous sources "deep" in the investigation as saying investigators could find no evidence in a review of surveillance video at the two KFC restaurants nearest Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children that anyone matching Victoria Wilcher's description entered either Jackson location on May 15 and no register orders showed a combination of foods the grandmother reported as being ordered were placed on that day. 
 
 The Victoria's Victories Facebook page — which was taken down Tuesday after people began posting hateful comments — noted the little girl and her grandmother visited Batson on May 15 after Victoria pulled out her feeding tube. 
 
 But the alleged incident at the KFC wasn't noted on the Facebook page until June 12. The story went viral the next day. Mullins says her days and dates run together because of Victoria's relentless schedule of doctor's appointments. 
 
 "Since Victoria got out of the hospital in May, we've been driving to Jackson at least two to three times a week," she said. "And it's usually not just one appointment when we go. She usually sees two or three doctors, which I guess is good because I couldn't afford to drive up there every day. 
 
 "But getting Victoria well is the main thing I'm focused on. So when she needs to see a doctor, we go." 
 
 Questions about what happened began when the family initially told KFC the incident happened at the location on State and High streets, a claim backed by a post on Victoria's Victories, which was run by Victoria's aunt, Teri Rials Bates. The post read: "Thank you for your support for Victoria. If you would like to file a complaint, it's the KFC on State Street in Jackson MS." That store is not in operation and has been closed for several years. 
 
 Mullins said in the interview with The Clarion-Ledger that the confusion on the correct KFC could be because Jackson "looks a lot different" than it used to be. 
 
 "I moved out of state, to Missouri, for 15 years and came back about three years ago," Mullins said. "There are new roads ... I get turned around and lost very quick. My mom tried to tell me how to find her house (in Jackson) and I wound up having to go buy a Jackson map. I know that's pitiful, but it's the only way I could find it." 
 
 Lindsey Turk, one of the Jackson attorneys who is assisting the family, had Mullins follow her in separate vehicles in an attempt to locate the KFC where Mullins said the incident happened. 
 
 "I felt sure it had to be close to Batson hospital, where Victoria goes to the doctor," Turk said. "When we turned into the parking lot of the KFC on Woodrow Wilson, Kelly immediately started nodding her head. She appeared certain that it was the correct KFC." 
 
 Mullins said she recognized it once she saw it again "because I used to have to go to the doctor at the Jackson Medical Mall" that is nearby. 
 
 As for Victoria, Mullins said "she has her good days and bad days. You have to fight tooth and nail to change her bandages. And she doesn't like the feeding tube." 
 
 A Las Vegas plastic surgeon, Frank Stile of Las Vegas, flew to Mississippi on Saturday to meet Victoria and her family. He explained that his nonprofit would pay for the extensive reconstruction surgeries of Victoria's face. Raymond Peters, the owner of the Center for Custom Prosthetics in Florida, has agreed to donate a prosthetic eye and help out with surgeries. 
 
 "Both doctors' offices said (Tuesday) they are still on board with helping Victoria," Turk said. 
 
 Hannon Food Services issued a statement to WAPT-Channel 16 Tuesday that said hundreds of hours were spent reviewing the video surveillance at the KFC restaurant on Woodrow Wilson Drive and all of the employees at that location were interviewed. 
 
 "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. 
 
 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," according to WAPT. 
 
 In a statement released Tuesday to The Clarion-Ledger, lead attorney for Victoria's family, William Kellums of Jackson, said: "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." 
 
 In his statement, Kellum says the family " appreciates the actions of KFC in their investigation of this matter. They look forward to assisting KFC in what we hope will be an ongoing investigation." 
 
 But he says Kelly Mullins, Victoria's grandmother, "maintains that her description of the events that occurred at a Jackson KFC regarding Victoria are true and accurate." 
 
 Contact Billy Watkins at (769) 257-3079 or bwatkins@jackson. gannett.com. Follow @BillyWatkins11 on Twitter. 
 
 Read or Share this story: http://on.thec-l.com/1mj5WAa 

 Kentucky Fried Chicken suggested Tuesday that a family claiming their little girl was asked to leave a restaurant because the scars on her face from a pit bull attack were disturbing other customers actually made the story up. 
 
 The bizarre story concerns three-year-old Victoria Wilcher, who was reportedly mauled by pitbulls belonging to her family, leaving heavy scarring on her face. Her family said last month that she was asked to leave a Jackson, Miss., KFC restaurant because her appearance disturbed other customers. That claim, initially floated on a “Victoria’s Victories” Facebook page that appeared to have been taken offline Tuesday, ignited outrage on social media, prompting an apology from KFC on June 15 and a promise to spend $30,000 on Wilcher’s medical bills. 
 
 But KFC said Tuesday that it no longer believes the incident actually took place. 
 
 “Like the rest of America, the KFC family has been moved by the story of Victoria’s injuries and recovery,” KFC spokesman Rick Maynard said. “After the alleged incident was reported to us, two investigations took place, including one by an independent investigator. Neither revealed any evidence that the incident occurred and we consider the investigation closed. We are honoring our commitment to make a $30,000 donation to assist with Victoria’s medical bills. We hope everyone keeps Victoria in their thoughts and prayers. She will certainly be in ours.” 
 
 A lawyer for Victoria’s grandmother, who made the initial claim, said Tuesday that the family stands by its story. “Victoria’s family did not anticipate that the response to ‘Victoria’s Victories’ would be so widespread and generous,” lawyer Bill Kellum said in a statement. “A family member simply posted a comment on Victoria’s page regarding her experience at KFC that subsequently went viral. Victoria’s family certainly did not expect the publicity resulting from the post. However, Victoria and her family are very appreciative of the outpouring of sympathy, prayers, donations and love from individuals and entities all over the world.” 
 
 “I promise it’s not a hoax, I never thought any of this would blow up the way it has,” multiple news reports cited Victoria’s aunt as writing on the GoFundMe page where her family was raising money. Those comments preceded KFC’s statement and the page was also offline late Tuesday. 
 
 When reports that Victoria was asked to leave the restaurant ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media, KFC moved quickly to tamp the outrage. 
 
 “As soon as we were notified of this report on Friday, we immediately began an investigation, as this kind of hurtful and disrespectful action would not be tolerated by KFC,” the company said at the time. “Regardless of the outcome of our investigation, we have apologized to Victoria’s family and are committed to assisting them. The company is making a $30,000 donation to assist with her medical bills. The entire KFC family is behind Victoria.” 
 
 The Mississippi-based Laurel Leader-Call newspaper, citing unnamed sources familiar with the investigation, first reported the possibility of a hoax on Tuesday. The family has raised more than $135,000 in the wake of the initial claim, according to numerous reports. 
 
 “Please do not believe untrue media,” Victoria’s aunt Rials Bates wrote on the GoFundMe page that was no longer online Tuesday, ABC reports. “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.” 
 
 –Additional reporting by Joan E Greve 

 Story highlights KFC says it conducted two investigations into family's allegations of mistreatment 
 
 Neither found evidence the family was asked to leave because of girl's appearance 
 
 Victoria Wilcher, 3, was mauled by pit bulls, authorities said 
 
 The family's Facebook page Victoria's Victories has been taken down 
 
 It was a heart-wrenching story. A Mississippi grandmother said she brought her 3-year-old granddaughter into a KFC in Jackson earlier this year. Little Victoria Wilcher had to eat through a feeding tube, her grandmother said, because she had been recently attacked by pit bulls. The girl's face was badly scarred, and she wore an eye patch. 
 
 The grandmother, Kelly Mullins, said she ordered food -- mashed potatoes -- something the child could more easily swallow. Then she was asked to leave. Victoria's appearance was disturbing other customers. 
 
 That account, told on the family's Facebook page Victoria's Victories received national media attention, and it enraged many on social media who then contributed money to the family. 
 
 But Tuesday, KFC said it conducted two investigations, including one by an independent investigator, and neither revealed any proof that the scenario described to reporters and on social media actually occurred, KFC spokesman Rick Maynard said in a statement e-mailed to CNN. 
 
 The same day, the Victoria's Victories page appeared to have been removed from Facebook. Shortly before it was taken down, this posting appeared: "I promise its not a hoax, I never thought any of this would blow up the way it has. ... 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." 
 
 JUST WATCHED Family alleges mauled girl asked to leave KFC Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Family alleges mauled girl asked to leave KFC 02:15 
 
 Despite CNN's repeated calls Tuesday, neither the family nor the family's attorney could be reached for comment. 
 
 Donation page suspended 
 
 After the family's account became public, donations poured into the family's fund-raising effort at www.gofundme.com. At the time, KFC left an apology on the Facebook page and pledged to donate $30,000 for Victoria's treatment. 
 
 On Tuesday, the CEO of GoFundMe, Brad Damphousse, said in a statement that the fund-raising webpage was suspending the campaign and offering to refund donations. 
 
 "In lieu of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the 'Victoria's Victories' online fundraising effort, GoFundMe has temporarily suspended the campaign until the full truth is made clear," the statement said. 
 
 Also, the Leader-Call newspaper in Laurel, Mississippi , published a report casting doubt on the family's story, using unnamed sources. 
 
 "The sources spoke on the condition of strict anonymity because they were not permitted to speak on the record," the newspaper said. 
 
 Authorities verified to CNN on Tuesday the account of how Victoria came to be injured. Pit bulls attacked the girl in April while she visited her grandfather, from whom Mullins is divorced, authorities said. 
 
 The dogs bit the girl all over, including her face. She has severe facial scars and lost sight in her right eye and the ability to move the right side of her face, Mullins told CNN affiliate WAPT-TV. The child wears an eye patch with a cartoon character on it. 
 
 Despite saying it hadn't found proof that one of its restaurants mistreated the girl or her grandmother, KFC is vowing to honor its commitment to donate $30,000 to assist with Victoria's medical bills. 
 
 "We hope everyone keeps Victoria in their thoughts and prayers," the chain said in a statement. "She will certainly be in ours." 

 JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Fried chicken chain KFC said two different investigations have not found any evidence that an employee asked a 3-year-old girl and family members to leave because injuries she suffered in a pit bull mauling disturbed customers. 
 
 KFC spokesman Rick Maynard said Tuesday the company considered the matter closed after an internal investigation by the franchise restaurant in Jackson and an independent probe. Maynard said the company would honor its commitment to donate $30,000 to help with medical bills for Victoria Wilcher. 
 
 "Like the rest of America, the KFC family has been moved by the story of Victoria's injuries and recovery," Maynard said. "We hope everyone keeps Victoria in their thoughts and prayers. She will certainly be in ours." 
 
 Allegations that Victoria was asked to leave the restaurant were made earlier this month on the Facebook site Victoria's Victories, which has followed her recovery from the April attack. 
 
 In a statement, Hannon Food Services, which operates the restaurant, said the company was deeply troubled by the allegation. 
 
 As part of its investigation, Hannon said it spent hundreds of hours reviewing surveillance video, interviewing employees and hired the outside investigator. The company said it would reach out to the child's family for additional discussions. 
 
 Jackson attorney Bill Kellum, in a statement Tuesday afternoon on behalf of the child's family, said Victoria's grandmother, Kelly Mullins, stands by her claim of what happened at the restaurant. 
 
 "Victoria's family appreciates the actions of KFC in their investigation of this matter. They look forward to assisting KFC in what we hope will be an ongoing investigation," he said. 
 
 "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. 
 
 He said the child's family is grateful for outpouring of concern for her. 
 
 After the initial allegation, KFC posted an apology the next morning and asked for more details about what happened. 
 
 Teri Rials Bates, the child's aunt, runs the Victoria's Victories Facebook page. 
 
 "I promise it's not a hoax, I never thought any of this would blow up the way it has," a post said early Tuesday. "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." 
 
 No one responded to a message sent through the Facebook page. 
 
 Earlier, the child's grandmother, Kelly Mullins, told Jackson television station WAPT-TV that the child had just been to a doctor and stopped at the restaurant. After they ordered, an employee approached, she said. 
 
 "They just told us, they said, 'We have to ask you to leave because her face is disrupting our customers,'" Mullins told the TV station. 
 
 In her posts, Bates said the child was attacked by three pit bulls while visiting her grandfather at his home south of Jackson. Since April, she has undergone reconstructive surgery, Bates said. 
 
 KFC is based in Louisville, Kentucky, and is a division of publicly traded Yum! Brands Inc. The company was spun off from Pepsico in the 1990s. Its anchor restaurants brands are KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. 
 
 In Mississippi, the company has 80 KFC restaurants. All are operated by franchise holders, KFC spokesman Maynard said. 
 
 Parent company Yum! reported total sales of more than $13 billion in 2013.
– In KFC's view, it really was a hoax: After commissioning two investigations into the story of a disfigured little girl supposedly asked to leave one of its restaurants, both internal and independent probes found no evidence the incident actually happened, the chain said yesterday. Even so, a KFC spokesperson says, the company will donate $30,000 to help the family of 3-year-old Victoria Wilcher with medical bills, the AP reports. "Like the rest of America, the KFC family has been moved by the story of Victoria's injuries and recovery," he says. Still, Victoria's grandmother hasn't budged from her claim that she brought the child to a KFC in Jackson, Miss., on May 15, after an appointment at a nearby children's hospital, and an employee asked them to leave because Victoria's face was scaring the other customers. But sources recently started blowing holes in the story, which wasn't made public until nearly a month after it allegedly happened. Hannon Food Services, which operates the KFC franchise in question, spent hundreds of hours reviewing surveillance video and interviewing employees, and also hired an outside investigator for a second probe. KFC says it considers the matter closed, but an attorney who spoke on behalf of the Wilcher family yesterday said they want the investigation to continue, and Victoria's grandmother yesterday told the Clarion-Ledger, "I know the truth and the truth has to come out at some point." But as Time points out, the family's Facebook and GoFundMe pages for Victoria were both taken down yesterday, and CNN notes that GoFundMe's CEO has offered to refund donations. Victoria received her injuries when she was mauled by her grandfather's dogs in April.