The longrunning story of Detroit Street — in which a little girl and her mother faced a losing battle with Huntington’s disease and were taunted by a neighbor — may have finally ended Monday when Edward, his family and Jennifer Petkov and her husband appeared on the “Dr. Phil” show.

Phil McGraw served as mediator for an episode entitled, “Unforgivable Acts?” The segment reviewed the history of tensions that began in October 2010, when Petkov admitted posting disturbing pictures on Facebook, altered images of Rob’s daughter, Kathleen Edward, and her mother, Laura, who died from Huntington’s in 2009. The family said they hope for closure following Kathleen’s death last month at age 9.

Edward and his wife were in the California studio with McGraw; Petkov and her husband, Scott, appeared via satellite link.

“They’ve been called the cruelest couple in America,” McGraw said while explaining the background. Videos were shown featuring Jennifer Petkov defiantly admitting to local media that she posted the pictures, “for personal satisfaction” and because it “rubs” the family the wrong way.

“Did you say, ‘I wish Kathleen would hurry up and die?’” McGraw asked Petkov.

“I’m sorry for everything,” Petkov said. Although telling McGraw she hadn’t done, “any of the things they’re accusing me of,” Petkov offered an apology for what had taken place.

“I don’t expect your forgiveness,” Petkov said. “But I’m sorry if I said anything ever or did anything ever that hurt you.”

Forgiveness may not have been possible for some. Kathleen’s grandmother, Rebecca Rose, also appeared via satellite and said that Petkov’s harassment continued long after an apology given by Petkov when the story went viral.

“After my daughter died [in 2009],” Rose said, “I never had a chance to grieve because I was defending myself and reading nasty posts and seeing pictures of my dying granddaughter. I want to grieve for my daughter and granddaughter without being tormented by Jennifer Petkov.”

Rose maintained that Petkov has not been truthful throughout the ordeal, and continued her harassment long after claiming innocence.

“I wish there was something I could do to make it all better,” Petkov said.

“There is, Jennifer,” Rose responded: “Tell the truth.”

Petkov did admit to McGraw that she had “a rage problem” in the past, and said she sought counseling for that.

“Did you bring this on yourself?” McGraw asked Petkov, wondering if she was trying to portray herself as the victim.

“Yes I did, with the pictures,” Petkov said, admitting to the original doctored images of the little girl and her mother with superimposed Grim Reaper photos, yet denying that she made subsequent posts.

At the show’s end, Edward accepted the apology — albeit one he said was forced because Petkov “got caught” — and did so in his daughter’s name.

“Kathleen would have forgiven you,” Edward said. “So I forgive you. It doesn’t mean I like you … but I’m not mad at you.”

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

While allowing the request for more time to prepare as made by the defense attorney last week, McNally also reminded the defendant, 30-year-old Casey Branden Griffor, not to have any contact with the girl or her relatives. Reportedly, McNally was told that Griffor — who remained in custody at the Wayne County Jail — called the girl’s mother and told her not to be in court for last week’s scheduled hearing.

Assistant Prosecutor Kinga Gorzelewski objected to the adjournment, and reportedly claimed that Griffor attempted to communicate with the girl’s mother during last week’s appearance.

Griffor was charged last month with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, each count punishable by 25 years in prison, and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, a 15-year felony. Griffor allegedly raped the underage Trenton girl several times over period of nine months.

Trenton Police Chief James Nardone said that Griffor turned himself over to officers on Jan. 15. The preliminary examination of evidence is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 in 33rd District Court. Griffor remained in custody, and had not posted a $300,000 cash bond.

The dinner event at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 4574 W. Jefferson Ave., paid tribute to citizens and businesses for leadership and achievements made in the past year. A host of awards are given to Trentonites young and old, police and fire professionals and business neighbors.

Saluting the city’s first responders, Police Chief Jim Nardone presented the Police Officer of the Year award to Stephen Lyons; Fire Chief Bruce Vick honored Jeff Evans as Firefighter of the Year. Tom Brewer was given the Municipal Employee of the Year award.

Individuals given City Awards by the Civic Commission were nominated in a variety of categories honoring city and civic involvement. The Good Neighbor award went to Thelma Fuch and Ted Hageman; Senior of the Year honors recognized Norb Wegienka and John Bostek; The “Charlie Brown” award (for community spirit) went to Tony Ciarlo; Christine Howe was named Outstanding Woman; Andrew Lindsay received the Outstanding Young Man award; and Kathy Kane received the Trentonite of the Year honor.

Civic honors included the Trenton Business Association’s Member of the Year award, given to Rick Williams of in-home care providers Comfort Keepers; the Community Service award went to DTE manager Brian Kincaid; Bill Jasman took home the Rotarian of the Year award; Katrina Scheffer and Nicholas Vasquez were honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars with the Voice of Democracy award; and the Andy Mason Award went to Drs. Michael Shapiro and Marvin Sonne.

Proceeds from the awards dinner went to the Trenton Food Pantry.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

Rakeshkumar Patel was arraigned Jan. 19 on two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a juvenile between the ages of 13 and 15, and entered a plea of innocent to the 15-year felony. Patel was also charged with one count of criminal sexual conduct of force or coercion, and one count of furnishing alcohol to a minor.

As reported to Trenton Police, the girl said that Patel raped her the day before Thanksgiving at Trenton Food Mart, 3720 Fort St. The girl testified during preliminary hearings at 33rd District Court that she and other teens frequently spent time at the store, and that Patel — known to local youth as “Rocky” — sometimes provided alcohol. The rape allegedly took place in the back room of the business.

Patel remains free on $75,000 bond, surrendered his passport and is prohibited from contact with the girl or her family.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

Trenton Department of Public Works employee Kevin Sargent, 35, and Flat Rock Police Sergeant Charles Sanders Jr., 46, were arraigned Jan. 11 in 33rd District Court on racketeering charges following a year-long investigation of illegal gambling conducted by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The two face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of racketeering and 14 counts of illegal gambling.

Investigators claimed that the men collected bets and communicated with gamblers and each other on company time, to include Sanders’ having done so while driving his patrol car. Since the arraignment, Sargent has used accrued personal time as agreed upon by his attorney and city officials.

“He’s using time he’s entitled to,” City Administrator Jim Wagner said, adding that Sargent has enough days accrued to remain off duty until Feb. 1 and a scheduled Garrity hearing.

Under the provisions of a Garrity hearing, a municipal employee may be questioned without the discussion being allowed in any subsequent trial or court proceedings.

Wagner said that city attorneys proposed the hearing, and Sargent’s attorney asked for time to review the background of the situation.

“The Garrity hearing will be a very important key as to how we proceed or don’t,” Wagner said. Sanders was placed on administrative leave by the Flat Rock Police Department. A preliminary examination is scheduled for Feb. 24 before 33rd District Court Judge James K. Kersten.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

Trenton Police Chief James Nardone said that Casey Brandon Griffor turned himself over to police officers Jan. 15, and was arraigned Wednesday in 33rd District Court.

Nardone said that police were informed of the alleged crimes on Jan. 14, and that Griffor was in custody Sunday.

Griffor was charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, each carrying a possible sentence of 25 years to life, and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, which carries a mandatory 15-year sentence.

Griffor was given a $300,000 cash bond, and remains in custody awaiting a preliminary examination on Jan. 31 before 33rd District Court Judge Michael McNally.

Rakeshkumar Patel was charged before Circuit Court Judge David Groner with two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a juvenile between the ages of 13 and 15, a 15-year-felony; one count of criminal sexual conduct of force or coercion; and onecount of furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Previously, the teenage girl testified during preliminary hearings held before 33rd District Court Judge Jennifer Coleman Hesson. The girl told prosecutors that she and others often frequented Trenton Food Mart, 3720 Fort St., where they knew the owner as “Rocky” and were often provided alcohol. On the day before Thanksgiving, the girl said that Patel gave her alcohol which she consumed in the store’s back room, where he sexually assaulted her.

The girl and her mother reported the incident to Trenton Police, and Patel was arrested the following day.

Following last week’s arraignment, Patel is next scheduled to appear before Circuit Court Judge Margie R. Braxton for a hearing, the date of which was yet to be determined by press time. He remains free on $75,000 bond, surrendered his passport and is prohibited from contact with the victim or her family.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

Kevin Sargent

Charles Sanders Jr.

By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON — Two public employees face up to 20 years in prison for allegedly operating a sports gambling ring while on the job.

Trenton Department of Public Works employee Kevin Sargent, 35, and Flat Rock Police Sergeant Charles Sanders Jr., 46, were arraigned Wednesday in 33rd District Court, and await a preliminary hearing next month.

City officials said the arrest left staff and friends surprised.

“This caught his fellow employees and City Hall staff off guard,” City Administrator Jim Wagner said, noting that Sargent is well respected among those who know him.

The charges follow a year-long investigation by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“Public safety officials who break the law and use taxpayer resources to do it will be brought to justice,” Schuette said. “We will hold corrupt officials accountable, wherever they are found.”

Sargent and Sanders allegedly ran an illegal betting operation during work hours. Sargent primarily collected bets by phone— while at work — placed on college and pro football games; Sanders served as the bank and handled cash collections and payments while on duty.

Schuette said, allegedly, on at least one occasion Sanders collected bets while sitting in a Flat Rock police squad car.

Both men were charged with one count of racketeering, or conducting a criminal enterprise, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and 14 counts of illegal sports betting.

Sanders also faces two counts of misconduct in office, and was reportedly placed on unpaid leave by the department.

Wagner said that Sargent took personal time last week, and that an internal investigation was being conducted.

“We are trying to ascertain if any policies or work rules were violated,” Wagner said. Once the investigation is complete, city administrators will meet with legal counsel and employee union representatives.

A preliminary exam before 33rd District Court Judge James K. Kersten is scheduled for Feb. 24, according to court records.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

Kathleen reportedly died at 10:07 p.m. in Wyandotte, after feeling ill in recent days. Kathleen’s mother, Laura Edward, died of Huntington’s in 2009.

The family’s long struggle was compounded by international attention when a Detroit Street neighbor of Kathleen and Laura, Jennifer Petkov, posted a picture of Laura superimposed with a skull and crossbones. Petkov was subject to several court appearances last year over charges that she attempted to run down a neighbor with her car and violated terms of her probation.

In response to Petkov’s online infamy, Kathleen received support from around the world. Facebook pages flooded the Internet with thoughts and prayers for the family. Last year, when online sentiments turned to anger against the Petkovs, Kathleen’s grandmother, Rebecca Rose, asked that people instead remember the little girl’s spirit.

“I know people mean well,” Rose said. “If you want to help, then help us find a cure.”

The family requested that donations or memorials in Kathleen’s name be made through Michigan Memorial Funeral Home in Flat Rock, where services were scheduled.

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)

“We do it a little different than most districts and rotate the position,” Hawkins said. “Keeps things fair, and gives everyone a chance to be in that position.”

By day, Hawkins is a 10-year veteran of the Trenton Police Department, most recently assigned to head the department’s K-9 unit. Service on the school board has been a different education, with challenges familiar to everyone in public service these days.

“As always, the budget is the number one issue for any board or government,” Hawkins said.

Trenton Public Schools has faced its share of financial battles; last year the board was able to restore general education busing for the year, and doing so again in 2012-2013 is one of many challenges ahead.

Addressing those challenges, Hawkins said, will rely heavily on the new superintendent that he and the board expect to appoint this spring. Current Superintendent Larry Leapley returned to the district last year on an interim basis, and three internal candidates are being considered.

“It’s a learning process,” Hawkins said of board experience. “There’s a lot more that goes into every issue. That’s one of the things I learned, that it takes time to understand everything.”

(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)