TikTok star slams grieving criticism after 3-year-old drowned in family pool

Social media star Emilie Kiser has opened up about her choice to remain private following the death of her three-year-old son, Trigg, earlier this year.

Trigg tragically drowned in the Kiser family’s backyard pool on May 12. Emergency responders administered CPR, and the child was rushed to Chandler Regional Medical Center and then Phoenix Children’s Hospital in critical condition. Despite these efforts, Trigg passed away six days later, on May 18.

Kiser, 26, initially stepped back from posting family-oriented content online, sharing in August that she appreciated the “love and compassion” shown by her followers. By September 20, she had returned to social media with videos featuring her newborn son, Theodore, and lighter content about shopping and coffee shops.

In a recent post on October 13, Kiser addressed criticism she had received for not publicly grieving in the ways some expected.

“Unless you have lost someone and gone through grief, you will not understand what you would do or how you would act,” she said. “Losing a child is literally the worst pain. And I would not want anybody to go through it.”

Kiser explained that while Trigg’s photos and artwork fill her home, she chooses not to share these private reminders online. “I love that because he’s my child and I never want to forget him. But I’m not showing that on camera,” she said.

She also confirmed that she will not be sharing content about her family at this time, emphasizing that she is still processing her grief privately with therapy, family, and professionals.

“I am sharing the moments that I can bear to film and that I want to film,” she added, noting that content creation provides a brief reprieve from her personal reality.

Kiser concluded by reminding followers that while people are entitled to opinions about her grieving process, the reality of her loss cannot be fully captured online.

Following Trigg’s death, authorities recommended a child abuse charge against Kiser’s husband, Brady, who was reportedly at home watching sports when the incident occurred. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office later confirmed there was “no likelihood of conviction.”

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