When tragedy strikes a family, the ripple effects are unimaginable.
For internet personality Emilie Kiser, that tragedy came in the form of losing her three-year-old son, Trigg, in their backyard pool in Chandler, Arizona.
In a candid social media post, Emilie opened up about her grief and the painful lessons she has learned in the aftermath of the accident.
Emilie Kiser Breaks Her Silence
Emilie, a popular mommy blogger, spoke for the first time publicly since May, sharing the heartbreak her family has endured.
She expressed deep regret for not installing a permanent fence around the pool, acknowledging that such a precaution “could have saved” Trigg’s life.
“I take full accountability as Trigg’s mother, and I know I should have done more to protect him,” Emilie wrote.
“One of the hardest lessons I carry is that a permanent pool fence could have saved his life, and it’s something I will never overlook again.”
The Tragic Day in May
Emilie was not home at the time of the accident, leaving her husband Brady, 28, to care for both Trigg and their newborn son, Theodore.
According to police reports, Brady admitted he lost sight of Trigg for a brief period.
Video footage, however, showed the boy was left unsupervised for over nine minutes and in the water for about seven.
Trigg was rushed first to a nearby hospital and then airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for specialized care, but tragically, he did not survive.
Honoring Trigg’s Memory
In her heartfelt statement, Emilie described Trigg as “our baby and our best friend,” praising the joy and light he brought to their lives.
She hopes that sharing his story can prevent other families from experiencing a similar loss.
Emilie also thanked friends, family, and supporters for their outpouring of love, saying the support has been invaluable during this difficult time.
Discrepancies in the Police Report
The Chandler Police Department report highlighted inconsistencies in Brady’s account of the events.
While he initially claimed to have been sitting in a chair watching the yard, camera footage contradicted this.
He later admitted he was watching an NBA playoff game and had placed a $25 bet at the time.
The report noted that Brady’s statements did not match what was captured on video, concluding that he was not fully aware of Trigg’s actions.
These combined factors contributed to the tragic drowning.
No Criminal Charges Filed
Despite the police recommending a felony child abuse charge, Brady is not facing criminal charges related to Trigg’s death.
Emilie took legal action to have parts of the police report sealed, fearing that public access could lead to the graphic details being misused online.
The Maricopa County Superior Court agreed, redacting two pages that contained detailed descriptions of Trigg’s final moments.
Emilie’s attorney emphasized that the decision allows the family to grieve privately while honoring Trigg’s memory.
Protecting Grief and Preserving Dignity
Shannon Clark, Emilie’s lawyer, explained the importance of the court’s decision.
“These redactions protect the dignity of a little boy whose memory should reflect the love and light he brought to the world.
This allows the family, and the public, to remember him for the beautiful life he lived, not the tragic way it ended.”
