Criminal law, Society, Torts

Kathleen Edwards, 2003-2012

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I have to report that nine-year-old Kathleen Edward died of Huntington’s disease on Wednesday night. We discussed Kathleen’s illness as part of a horrific case about bullying by a neighbor, Jennifer Petkov.

<img Petkov mocked the illness of the little girl and the death of her mother who died of Huntington's disease at 24. Kathleen was diagnosed with the disease at 3. Petkov superimposed a skull and crossbones over a photo of Kathleen and posted it on the Internet. She also posted pictures showing Kathleen’s mother (Laura Edwards) in the arms of the grim reaper and photoshopped a picture of Kathleen with her face above a set of crossed bones. She was also accused of attaching a coffin to her truck (that she named the ”Death Machine”) and driving it down the street honking the horn and parking it in front of the girl's house.

Petkov, shown right, eventually pleaded guilty in an assault and battery case and was forced to move away from the neighborhood.

Kathleen died after a long bout with pneumonia — a common end for Huntington’s patients.

The unspeakable abuse by Petkov made this girl’s tragic life all the harder in the short time that she was on this Earth. Fortunately, neighbors and strangers rallied around Kathleen and many were inspired by her cheerful nature and her strength for such a little girl. Rest in peace, Kathleen.

Source: CBS

36 thoughts on “Kathleen Edwards, 2003-2012”

  1. My sincere condolences to all of Kathleen’s family and friends, losing her Mom and now her is a tremendous loss and my heart goes out to you; and to everyone still suffering and grieving the loss of their own personal heroes.

    Long Road

    and i wished for so long…i cannot stay
    all the precious moments…cannot stay
    it’s not like wings have fallen…i cannot say
    but with out you somethings missing…i cannot say
    holding hands of daughters and sons
    in their phase they’re falling down
    i have wished for so long…how i wish for you again

    we all walk the long road
    i cannot stay
    there’s no need to say goodbye
    oh, the friends and family…
    all the memories going round
    i have wished for so long…how i wish for you today

    and the wind keeps rolling
    and the sky keeps turning grey
    and the sun is setting
    the sun will rise another day
    i have wished for so long…how i wish for you today
    we all walk the long road

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLCrYxlGzSU

  2. Kelly, my father and grandfather died of ALS (and my parents were first cousins as well) so I know to some degree the horror of living with the disease sword hanging over your head. I am so sorry for the losses you have suffered, and the suffering of your father and brother, and hope that this disease spares you.
    Swathmore mom, I am also sorry for the loss of your friend. I have a feeling she was very lucky to have you in her life.
    I dont know if Petrov owned up to this (I am assuming the assualt and battery to which she pleaded guilty was for some other awful thing she did) but how or why an adult would ever behave in such a manner appals. I can not fathom how the thought to do such things would even enter into one’s head.

  3. Pingback: Kathleen Edwards, 9, Dies of Huntington’s Disease. « Alternative Health Answers

  5. My prayers are with little Kathleen’s family and friends, How sad and cruel of the lady who bullied her. My father and brother both has this terrible disease along with many of my family members who have already passed away for Huntington’s Disease. I pray for a cure for other families who are cursed with this disease. It not only affects the person who has it, but the entire family.

  7. pete,

    Thanks for posting that video. It’s no secret I’m more cynical than the average bear, but that display of compassion for that sweet little girl made me a little misty eyed.

  9. saw that she had passed last night. there is a video of her, after the petkov bitch harassment went viral, where she is taken into a toy store and told she could have anything she wanted.

    and i hope the petkov female lives a long, long life, with something painful and debilitating.

    rest in peace, baby girl

  11. Wow. And I thought some of the people I know are bad people. They just appear uncool in contrast to the Petrovs.

  12. Swarthmore mom,

    You’re in my thoughts… My sincere condolences for the loss of your dear friend.

  13. No more suffering… No more suffering. May she rest in peace, as others have said. What a beautiful little girl she was…

  14. Jennifer Petkov – you are a real BITCH and you’re gonna get what’s coming to you sooner or later. Your apology to the world was faker than fake. Your scrapes w/ the law and bullying this child show how f****d up u really r. It would serve you right if your guilt kept you awake constantly then you die from insomnia.
    To Kathleen and family – your daughter was an unfortunate example of the MJ song ‘Gone too soon’ – I’d say ‘gone WAY too soon. Rest assured she’s in the arms of the angels and her spirit will live on. Good luck in court against that bitch and her worthless SOB husband – I hope you take em to the cleaners in every way possible

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