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Kathleen Edward, Child Made Famous By Neighbor Who Mocked Her Terminal Illness, Dies

Posted: January 12, 2012

kathleen edward NJ death

Trenton, MI- Out of all the strange, wacky and depraved stories that the internet has made viral, certain standouts are the type of tale that you remember every so often down the road due to their sheer implausibility and impact.

One such story is the bizarre and unspeakably cruel bullying of a terminally ill child in Trenton, Michigan by an adult neighbor following a family dispute. It’s difficult to imagine a more vulnerable victim than a child with a life-threatening illness, but as details unraveled about the harassment of Kathleen Edward, the situation was revealed to be even worse. And sadly, Edward succumbed  last night to Huntington’s Disease at the age of nine.

Edward’s neighbor Jennifer Petkov emerged as an uber-villain in the scenario, and it emerged that the woman- who was 33 at the time of the bullying- had posted images of the dying girl with a skull and crossbones to Facebook to anger her neighbors. Petkov had also taunted the family over the death of Edward’s mother, who also succumbed to Huntington’s at the age of 24. But what did Edward’s family do to so anger Petkov? Apparently they’d hosted a party with a bounce house in the front yard, and when Petkov texted to ask if her children could attend, Edward’s family did not reply quickly enough. (In the clip below, Petkov brags to a news anchor about the harassment and says she did it for “personal satisfaction.”)

Eventually, social services intervened due to Petkov’s harassment, and children living in the home were removed to the custody of their father. Family friend Michelle Yerigan confirmed Kathleen’s passing last night to CBS, and said that the girl would be reunited in heaven with the mother she lost at the age of six. Yerigan said that the story had gained traction worldwide:

“This little girl touched a lot of people’s lives and not just in Michigan, but across the world. She has friends from Australia, Indonesia, Pakistan, people all over the world have reached out to this little girl and the world is now a sadder place without her in it. But, I think she taught us a very strong lesson in that faith, hope and love can just do amazing things.”

Edward’s family is planning funeral services for the little girl.



Comments


106 Archived Responses to “ Kathleen Edward, Child Made Famous By Neighbor Who Mocked Her Terminal Illness, Dies ”

  1. Tiffany Andrews
    Jan 12, 2012

    petkov is a bastard.

  2. Gwendolyn Walker
    Jan 12, 2012

    There is a special place in hell for the woman who did this and I Hope it's at Lucifer's feet….for eternity….

  3. That is where the devil lives.this is pure EVIL.

  4. Im confused… Is this in MI or Jersey??? :/ it says Trentin, MI then NewJersey

  5. Caitie Mastafiak
    Jan 12, 2012

    What a B****! Way to go to the reporter for remaining so professional. I would have definitely socked her.

  6. This woman is obviously very mentally ill…She seems not to understand, right from wrong. It's just a shame that this poor family was targeted by her.Her behavior shows that she's a threat to society.

  7. Nancy Parry
    Jan 12, 2012

    that woman is a sick bitch.

  8. Michigan, thank you for the correction!

  9. Wow! That is unreal! I'd of been fired & went straight to jail over that answer if I was that reporter! She must have a black heart! R.I.P. Kathleen!

  10. What a hateful woman. Huntingtons disease is the one of the worst illnesses out there, I have never heard of it taking someone so small. That poor girl…the poor family. I do not care what this family did to piss these people off, how in the world do you get "personal satisfaction" for making fun of, not only a dying woman, but her dying child. ANY dying child. ick, how sickening.

  11. This woman can't be right in her head. Either way… she needs a thorough beating!! What a monster… how is it in any way satisfying to tease this little girl over her illness? An illness that took her life. This really makes me sick and furious!! She will get what's coming to her, I hope Its slow and agonizing!

  12. Edwin Bailey
    Jan 12, 2012

    omg she is missing alot of brain cells.

  13. Jaqui Anthony
    Jan 12, 2012

    Rest in peace and fly with the angels…

  14. Wow, if she ever gets arrested for violating those PPOs, the judge needs to see to it that she is required to participate in a full psychiatric evaluation, including taking the MMPI test, GAF and GARF evaluations. Then psychological and therapeutic treatment needs to begin including medication management. Drug testing should also be required. In the meantime, the familly should file suit for harrassment. They owe it to their the child to do so. If they can't afford it, I'm sure many, many people will donate to the cause of finding an attorney. Back in the day this woman would have been locked up an assilum, but due to least restrictive environements, she and her husband walk among us, which she should be free to do after she gets the mental health aid she and her husband need to keep her from harrassing others.

  15. Sharon Sunshine Dalton
    Jan 12, 2012

    Can you say sociopath?

  16. I think she is just attention seeking and has got what she wished for, including media coverage.

  17. What an awful, horrible, hateful woman. I want to punch her in the throat.

  18. opps I left out the word "in" in front of an assilum

  19. I do as well…But at what price? Thsi is a large part of whats wrong with the world today!

  20. Jaime Slim Goody Johnson
    Jan 12, 2012

    I can't imagine the pain this family is suffering. First they lose this little girls mother to Huntingtons, then 3 years later, they lost the little girl to the same disease. My heart goes out to them. That had to be the hardest three years of their lives. This trick deserves to burn in the hottest spot of Hades.

  21. Sheri Kio I didn't condone it. I think she needs therapy for it.

  22. Yea. What a b******* bless her dead soul

  23. Kim Fisher
    Jan 12, 2012

    I think we just found Casey Anthony sister on here.

  24. this breaks my heart.

  25. He will kick her in the head for all eternity and remind her why she's there. Petkov is heartless, unfeeling and just plain stupid. <3

  26. Are you kidding me? Apparently this woman must be on some kind of drugs…all this to get "personal satisfaction"? WTF? All because they didn't respond to you quick enough? Grow the hell up woman! My condolences to the Edwards family!

  27. Tweetie Carol Thompson
    Jan 12, 2012

    It amazes me how evil, cruel people can exist in this world and never have anything wrong with them. I hope with everything I have that there is a special place in Hell for them! My deepest condolences to the Edward family.

  28. It is amazing how hatefull people can be Karma will eventually catch up.

  29. Amy Hicks
    Jan 12, 2012

    I think that woman should be arrested for this! How could an ADULT be so cruel to a deing child and their family? Don't want to be her on Judgement day!

  30. Allison Craig Smith
    Jan 12, 2012

    What I don't get is WHY is she doing that? What is her purpose? Just to be mean, is she trying to make a point with all her malicious intent? Good grief!

  31. That woman is flipping brain dead. Cant explain it in any other way. What a waste of space. Hope her kids get taken away for good. Cause a " MOTHER " would never harass anyones sick child. Hope she also gets an asswhoppin in this life and in after life just to make sure she will never forget what sort of C*nt she is.

  32. I'm glad her kids were taken away, hopefully forever! No child should be raised around such hate. My prayers go out to the Edward family.

  33. Sick people in this world , disgusting, RIP Kathleen, my condolences to her family, you had a little angel. There will be a special place in Heaven for her and her family I am sure.

  34. Everyone but this woman can see the broken thought process and reality detachment she exhibits. Unfortunately, I see this same display over on the Huff Post with many of the ugly comments defending the Marine "Special" Ops Pee Platoon story.

    Vengeful and snide take on new low depths when hurled at a dying child. This made me physically and mentally ill.

  35. Made me feel sick to my stomach. So wrong.

  36. This is a truly sick family. They need therapy & FAST! How could u get personal satisfaction from bullying a lil girl? If that me I would of kicked her ass along time ago..

  37. Unbelieveable! This women was allowed to reproduce? Really!

  38. I have never known such cold hearted hater in my lifetime. I wonder how she will deal with herself when she GROWS UP. Just remember you horrible woman….what goes around…comes around. I guess you feel no responsibilities toward your own soul….Don't you believe in God? If you don't I am sad for you…..If you do I feel sad for you as you obviously haven't learn the lessons taught there. Hate thy neighbor..hate…hate…How can you be so low? You would have to dig up to get out. Satans got you by the hateful ass you are. How can you do that? Fraking low bellied snake! AURGH!

  39. PS I WOULD REALLY LIKE NOTHING MORE THAT TO MAKE HER FEEL VERY PANICKED AND SCARED WHEN THINGS START HAPPENING AROUND HER!

  40. Barbara Martinez
    Jan 12, 2012

    What A good role model for her kids. What a B**ch.

  41. Brenda Rivet Gonzalez
    Jan 12, 2012

    OMG who would do such a cruel thing to anyone, let alone a child. She is sick and the words I have for her can't be written in FB.

  42. I just don't understand how this behavior can bring any kind of personal satisfaction. It's just plain wrong! Not to mention how cruel and heartless it is. A family is going through a personal hell and they have to deal with this disgusting neighbor who doesn't even think she's done anything wrong! Heartfelt prayers go to Kathleen's family. God is with you. Stay strong. And to that evil woman: "Rot in hell you stupid piece of crap!"

  43. Melissa Tebbe
    Jan 12, 2012

    The last time I checked, bullying a minor via social networking sites sends you to prison! So, when does she go? I think the people of Trenton, MI will be better off without her presence!

  44. I'm a grown man but I weep for this little girl. I cannot believe such hateful people as that girl's neighbor exist. It's some form of mental illness that the woman must have.

  45. Melissa Tebbe
    Jan 12, 2012

    Oh, and by the way, Karma's a B*tch!

  46. omg she is a cruel sick b!

  47. This goes beyond sad.

  48. I dont think you can therapy that away..

  49. What is wrong with people? This was a child being harrassed. Anyone who has this horrible disease has my sympathy, but if you are so small of a person that you can pick on a child to make yourself feel better, I truly, truly feel sorry for you. And all of this is over a stupid party with a bounce thing in the front yard? Really?

  50. Wow, this woman is a sub-human.

  51. I totally agree with you Carole.

  52. What a filthy pig that thing that passes herself off as a woman is.

  53. Sheri Kio: I'm a mobile therapist (I drive to people's homes to do therapy with families) and I deal with that on a daily basis. Welcome to my work world, LOL!

  54. Deborah Hoff Im a nurse …I understand….Thats just SO wrong!

  55. Sheri Kio: Nursing is paradise compared to what I have to endure. I don't have the "luxury" of doping them up on Haliparidol when they "get anxious". I have to work through all major goals using behavioral techiques, family and multisystemic therapy. And I hate when nurses try to do therapy and even set up practice. It's like a plumber working on your car. Good luck with that!

  56. Deborah Hoff Im a director at a large assisted Living.We dont have the means to ever dope some one up.What im trying to say is that is so deep that im not sure therapy would ever change it unfortunately.She apparently have a severe personality disorder.

  57. That precious little girl is at peace now… Its sad that people will do anything for media attention. She should join the Phelps camp at Westboro Baptist.

  58. Chris Knoderer
    Jan 13, 2012

    To me, the wrong person got cancer…. Karma… I keep deleting what I really want to post. At least the girl is in a better place where petkov can't and will never be able to go. RIP sweet angel…..

  59. Huntington's disease was at the wrong house and killed the wrong two women!

  60. Christopher Alaimo
    Jan 13, 2012

    so many words for this woman, and not a one that won't get this comment deleted. #Letsgivethisbitchhuntingtons

  61. My prayer is to comfort the Edward family, someday they will see their little girl again.

  62. Sandy Myers
    Jan 13, 2012

    Petkov, remember what goes around comes around & in your case hopefully 10 fold. I mean really, attacking a dying child and her mother who's already gone? We are to teach are children respect & caring for others, not your cr**. Hopefully your kids dad will teach them thes things.

  63. I have never heard of anything more hateful and cruel in my life…clearly there is some sort of evil thing surrounding that woman. what normal human with any regard for their fellow human acts that way in good conscience?

  64. I hope she, and her husband get what they truly deserve (hopefully slowly and painfully)… and I hope the police remember their unfathomable cruelty when they "investigate."

  65. seriously woman, this all stems because your kids couldn't play in their jumping baloon thing? my god. Buy your own and stop thinking the whole neighborhood should be able to join in a PRIVATE party for a child. you my girl are a heartless witch and I hope the neighborhood kicks your butt out far away from other people. you cant play nicely, you shouldn't play.

  66. Allison Craig Smith – SHE IS PISSED BECAUSE HER KIDS COULDN'T GO TO THEIR PRIVATE PARTY THAT INCLUDED A JUMPING BALOON…CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT?!!!

  67. oh wait, you cant buy your kids the jumping baloon can you? because they rightfully TOOK YOUR KIDS AWAY.

  68. What a piece of trash! May she rot in hell! How can ANYONE be that cruel? Especially to a little girl? That bitch is lucky I'm not her neighbor, because I'd be in jail right now!

  69. A very sad story, my condolences to Kathleen's family. Rest in peace now angel. As for Jennifer Petkov, it's unfortuante we live in a world where there are people with this type of mentality. She's sick, in her head and in her soul. Hopefully, Petkovs children do not suffer the sins of their mother….

  70. absolutely!!!!

  71. Jen Johnson
    Jan 13, 2012

    definitly a special place in hell for jennifer petkov.

  72. Margaret Bailey Chandler
    Jan 13, 2012

    At first glance that woma.
    n is pretty, until she opens that mouth and you see how ugly and sick and scary she really is. I hope that someone treats her in the same manner that she treated that little girl. Pay back is a B**** and I would hate to be Ms Petkov. Doesn't she know that the "Sins of the Parents" could one day fall on her children.

  73. Margaret Bailey Chandler
    Jan 13, 2012

    What I don't get is why the other scary ass neighbors don't get together and run this psycho out of the neighborhood. Don't mean to be racia, l but if she was another color their would be a burning cross in her yard about now!

  74. Is the woman's home address 666 Lucifer Drive ! What a heartless, sickening, cruel thing to do to a helpless, innocent, suffering child !!!!! What is wrong with her and her husband? Kathleen is now with the angels and reunited wither her mother………My heart an prayers go out to Kathleen's family…..

  75. Sarah Anderson-Stange
    Jan 13, 2012

    Theres a new angel in heaven….. That hateful woman needs to remember 1 word… KARMA!!!!!!!

  76. What's the matter with most of you commenters? The abuse is an OLD story. This should NOT be about Petkov but be about Kathleen Edward! Your thoughts and prayers should be around HER. Not that evil woman Petkov. All I see are comments about Petkov. this is NOT her story but Kathleens. It's like she passes and no one notices.

  77. I have just never heard of adult bullying a small dying child. she must be quite the pansy to bully the helpless…she ought to be careful, she could bully the wrong person and find herself eating cement. what a sick demented woman.

  78. K*A*R*M*A* to the neighbor, may god's angels help Kathleen find her mother. What a loss.

  79. Sarah Anderson-Stange
    Jan 13, 2012

    Kelly Hayes IF I LIVED NEAR HER, I WOULD HAVE, IT WOULD BE THE ONE THING I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM GOING TO JAIL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE FOR…

  80. Sarah Anderson-Stange
    Jan 13, 2012

    I DONT BELIEVE SHES MENTALLY ILL, MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE TEND TO NOT TRY TO DRAW ATTENTION, THIS WOMAN IS JUST EVIL… BUT THE BIBLE SAYS AN EYE FOR AN EYE, WHAT WILL SHE DO IF ONE OF HER CHILDREN BECOME THE OBJECT OF SOMEONES HATETRED??? THAT WOULD BE JUSTICE

  81. Bless the Father who endured the terrible loss of both a wife and daughter to this terrible disease.We know the Mother and daughter are reunited in heaven and the Father and his new wife have given care that has been noted by the angels. AS for Petkov, I like to imagine the scene in ghost when all the ghoulies come for the evil doers. Mrs. Petkov, do not look for the light when your time comes.

  82. Karma's a bitch.. and I hope this disgusting excuse for a woman gets it BAD.

  83. My heart goes out to the family. The world lost a beautiful angel and God gained one.

  84. Ahh, Satan's Handmaidens are alive, and well.

  85. Bonnie Doman
    Jan 14, 2012

    Real mature, lady. Pickin on a little girl! I bet she is.real popular around town & she looks over her shoulder, ALOT…

  86. Diane Tragesser Long
    Jan 14, 2012

    I've been a RN for 20 yrs and I can say that this (and I use this term loosely) woman is a BiPolar/Schizophrenic. She has no regard for human life whatsoever. Her own kids were taken away from her and I'm sure she doesn't even care. She is delusional beyond belief. Her husband is soooooo whipped he doesn't know which end is up. Lock her up and throw away the key. As for the dad of Kathleen…….I do not know how he kept his composure but I expect he did it for his daughter……I would have ripped that woman a new one. I applaud him and am sad for his losses……

  87. This is probably one of the saddest things I've ever seen. To mock a dying child, the world is growing cold. And I'll be honest it's frightening.

  88. Kathleen, we pray for the rest of your soul.

  89. I'm sure that your Mom is waiting for you in heaven. She loves you and that's the reason why she wants you to be with her. God will provide you everything there.

  90. For Jennifer PETCOV: Go to the Philippines and the Filipinos will cut your neck…chop you.

  91. Jennifer Petcov: You need only 1 bullet.

  92. Hey, Jennifer PETCOV: My 85 Years old grandma will just use kitchen knife to stab you to death.

  93. JENNIFER PETCOV: Maybe you want me to massacre your whole family.

  94. Hey Jennifer, just wait…somebody will kill you there.

  95. JENNIFER, just hide where you going to hide. We will be looking for you…you wait!

  96. Nancy Parry
    Jan 15, 2012

    maybe she will get hit by a car or something ,how is it that people like this walk the face of the earth

  97. What an ass this woman is! What did she have to tell herself to make that right in her mind?

  98. Abbie Sleppy-Tharan
    Jan 17, 2012

    What a complete sociopath, AND SHE HAS CHILDREN HERSELF! I hope her neighbors have run her out of town by now; and then I hope something really awful happens to her…something really REALLY awful! She deserves nothing less.

  99. That makes me mad

  100. That woman will burn in hell, u don't mess with one of gods children. My heart go out to the little girls family.

  101. Anonymous
    Feb 17, 2012

    That just shows how awful and spiteful someone can be. This woman Petkov was cruel. I mean seriously, just because your kids didn't get invited into a bounce house? She made fun of Kathleen and her mother for having huntington's disease. That kind of behavior is not tolerated! Karma will continue to bite you in the ass! This woman is just plain stupid.

  102. Anonymous
    Apr 8, 2012

    Well there is a big slice of WHITE TRASH if I ever saw one…..(BTW- This is Not a racist comment as I am caucasian…Trash comes in all colors. I am just calling it like I see it!)

  103. She's purely ignorant. She looks like a young woman. My bet is that she has children or will have children. Karma has its way of making you pay for your indiscretions. There is nothing that little girl's family could have ever done to justify that kind of behavior. What a sad view on Americans and American women. Keep your family strong little Kathleen, watch over them they will need your strength with that kind of presence still in their lives and hovering over their mourning.

  104. Anonymous
    Jul 31, 2012

    My condolences to a family and friends for the loss of their mother and a little girl.
    Always remember that the life on earth is temporarily for all of us and one day we will be all together again.

    To Petrov family ——- GET HELP AND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I would suggest to start with reading the Bible, but I would not want you to touch it actually. Just admit yourself to psychiatric hospital A.S.A.P.