The attacks are apparently the culmination of a
long-running and increasingly bitter neighbourhood dispute between
the Petkovs and a number of residents in Trenton,
Michigan that have raged over the past couple of years.
Kathleen’s stepmother, Gabrielle Edward, told reporters
that the feud started two years ago.
“Kathleen’s grandmother had a birthday party, and Jennifer sent
a message asking if her kids could come over to play,” she
said.
But the grandmother, Rebecca Rose, did not respond to the text
quickly enough, she said. “That’s where it all started.”
Kathleen’s father, Robert Edwards has appealed to the Petkov
family, “Just leave us alone; that’s all we want. Don’t make
anymore comments about our daughter.”
The family have been doing their best to shield their daughter
from these taunts.
“There (are) more important things to deal with like our
daughter, She’s hanging in there. We have hospice at home every
week, and that’s a lot to deal with on its own,” her father
said.
Family friend Michelle Yerigian, 42, told Fox
News, “I don’t understand how people could spew such hatred.
They would pull up in the truck with the coffin attached, rev up
the engine, and say to Kathleen, ‘I can’t wait until you die.’”
“When I saw what she posted on Facebook, I almost threw up. I’m
totally dumbfounded,” she said.
However, the couple in question have since come forward to
apologise after being the target of global condemnation.
Mrs Petkov’s husband, Scott, 30, said the fallout of the
Facebook posting resulted in his suspension with pay from his job
as a forklift repairman in nearby Warren. He added
that his employer is considering firing him.
“I feel horrible for what I’ve said and done. That little girl
shouldn’t have had to lose her mum like that and she shouldn’t
have to lose her life either. I just hope she didn’t see those
pictures,” Petkov said.
