Little Girl Hoax at KFC, Go Fund Me Campaign in Question.
BALDWIN: Maybe this is something that you've given money to. How much trust can you put into these fundraising sites like Go Fund Me? This is what some folks who donate on that site are asking today, because this controversy involving this 3-year-old girl allegedly mauled by a pit bull gets even more mysterious. So this girl's family has raised thousands of dollars for her after telling everyone online that she was kicked out of a KFC in Mississippi because her scars were bothering customers. Well, KFC has a different take on what happened, and Go Fund Me is offering refunds. Jean Casarez explains why.</s>JEAN CASAREZ, HLN LEGAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 3-year-old Victoria Wilcher, viciously attacked by pit bulls. Who would not want to help this little girl? Victoria's family posted her tragic story on Facebook and said, to make matters worse, they were asked to leave a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Mississippi, because Victoria's wounds were upsetting to other diners.</s>KELLY MULLINS, GRANDMOTHER OF VICTORIA WILCHER: I sit down at the table with her and started feeding her, and the lady came over, and she said that we would have to leave. We were disturbing her other customers. But Victoria's face was disturbing other customers.</s>CASAREZ: The family created a page on Go Fund Me to tell her story. And donations started pouring in. Even Kentucky Fried Chicken said they would donate $30,000 for her recovery. But wait. Kentucky Fried Chicken did an investigation of their own to look at the validity of the family's claim, and found no evidence to support their story. Here is what they said in a statement to CNN. "Like the rest of America, the KFC family has been moved by the story of Victoria's injuries and recovery. 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." Despite repeated attempts by CNN to contact the family and its attorney, no calls were returned. The attorney did tell this to a local newspaper: "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." Go Fund Me has now pulled Victoria's page. Jean Casarez, CNN, New York.</s>BALDWIN: So, Sunny Hostin, let me bring you in on this one. I want to get to the Go Fund Me site in a minute, because I'm thinking about the people who want their money back, possibly. But what about the family here? If this in fact turns out to be a hoax, could the family face charges?</s>SUNNY HOSTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: You know, it's possible. I think that we're all familiar with these sorts of internet hoaxes, right? The cyber fraud which is what I call it. And the FBI calls it that, as well. Where people are sending e-mails saying they are stuck in another country or stuck somewhere, can you please send the money. So it is quite possible, I think that if this is investigated and found to be a hoax, which is really important, that important part, if it's truly found to be a hoax, certainly, I think there could be some charges. I think, though, Brooke, when you look at this, it's tough, because KFC did have this sort of independent investigation. We don't know much about the investigation. And they're still saying, listen, we're going to give $30,000. And so I don't know. I think this is a tough one in terms of charges because it's not really what happened as we always know. It's what can you prove. And I think this is going to be a tough one to prove that this actually did happen. Is there video? You know, we don't know.</s>BALDWIN: I don't know. And you brought up the money for the family, and so all these people, out of the goodness of their own souls, have hopped online, gone to Go Fund Me. And so they're saying, hang on a second, if this story stinks, I want my money back. This is the statement from Go Fund Me. Quote, "With over one million campaigns created and over $330 million raised, it's not feasible for Go Fund Me to research the claims presented by each and every user. Accordingly, donors should only give to people they personally know and trust." What's the takeaway for people who want to give?</s>HOSTIN: This is terrible. A couple of takeaways. One, Go Fund Me is being a good corporate citizen, saying, if this is a hoax, we're going to give your money back. We can't police everything, but we're going to fix it. But the big go-away is, you have got to self-help here. You have got to make sure that you're donating money to -- to people that you know. And I want to say this. I think the horrible thing about it, Brooke, is, my goodness, what a chilling effect it has on charitable giving. I hate that part of this story.</s>BALDWIN: I know. I know, I know. Most people out of the goodness of their heart want to give, but you just have to really be a good -- be a good citizen.</s>HOSTIN: Verify.</s>BALDWIN: Verify, exactly. Thank you. Sunny Hostin, thanks very much.</s>HOSTIN: Thanks.