Jean - Sorry, the previous article stated Edwards no longer drives, and was driven there by his wife. I've added that to this article as well.

Jean,
This is a reasonable question. In reply, first, John is not a danger to others in his condition. He is a sweet person with childlike mannerisms, and although he says some incredibly odd things to strangers (e.g., the police report states that he could not follow the officer's questions and instead bragged about how he scored 31 points in a basketball game for Brentwood High in 1968!), he is not violent.
It's unfortunate what happened at the cleaners. John has made the same index-finger-pointing gesture in the direction of my g/f's chest, saying "How are you?"; it's a slow, non-threatening movement (although I can understand how this young woman would have been upset).
Perhaps we need to keep a closer eye on him, but we have consulted with neurologists at Wash U to make the appropriate determinations. My mom, Kathy, recognizes that John's capacity to enjoy life is diminishing sharply. She has tried admirably to preserve for him a small amount of personal liberty, after having had to take away his car and generally confine him to their house. His cognitive abilities are weak, but he remains a proud man who enjoys people. It's a constant chore to monitor his every action in social settings, and sometimes an occasionally embarrassing incident can only be rectified by explaining to others the nature of FTD. Until this episode, however, others have always responded with understanding and compassion.

I know and love this family and have watched John's condition for the last 3 years. First of all, I would never call his behavior "accosting". It's more like a small child who would point to a woman's breast and say "boobie." John is sweet.
Since this disease is degenerative, there are distinct stages that John has gone through and the family has had to adjust as these stages present themselves.
Kathy is an amazing care-giver. It is obvious how much she loves her husband and her strength is admirable. She cares for him full-time and is trying to give him "quality of life" even though he is slipping away.
Driving him to the cleaners so he can walk inside, say hello to the women who work there, pay for the cleaning and walk back to the car was one of the last independent actions that Kathy trusted he was capable of doing. The women who work there know John and are helpful while he is there. Unfortunately, since John touched this customer in the cleaners, now the family must adjust to yet another sign that John's condition is getting worse and it is time to male another adjustment.
Just by suggesting that John's family has been irresponsible in the way they have dealt with this devastating disease is offensive to those of us who know what this family is going though. This situation is unfortunate for everyone involved.
Maybe it will bring some awareness to FTD and brain disease and create some empathy for a person who is suffering and the family who is dealing with it.

It says his wife drove him there and was waiting outside for him.

I meant to reply earlier, Thomas. THANK YOU for your comments.
Best,
Grant