Mom influencer Emilie Kiser has again drawn criticism for her approach to water safety, this time after footage emerged of her 16-month-old son without a life jacket on a boat. The incident has reignited public scrutiny, particularly in light of the May 12, 2025, drowning death of her three-year-old son, Trigg, in the family's backyard pool.
Kiser, who has over five million followers on TikTok, issued an apology on Tuesday after a friend shared the vacation footage from Mallorca. "Our child should have been in his life jacket for the entirety of that boat ride, not even for the few moments that he was out of it," Kiser stated. "We are painfully aware that in a matter of seconds, your entire life can change, and we should have done better. We recognize and appreciate the genuine care that people have for our children."
The apology came a month after the footage was posted and followed significant online backlash. Kiser acknowledged the public's anger and hurt, linking it to the memory of her son's death. "There has also been a deep level of anger and hurt directed toward our family, and we understand the basis of those feelings as well. It comes from the belief that Trigg should still be here, and we share that same belief more than can be expressed."
However, some critics found her words unconvincing. Social media posts related to the vacation incident have been flagged with community notes referencing her son's drowning. One Reddit user described the situation as "DISGUSTING," especially given the timing near the one-year anniversary of Trigg's death.
The video in question was shared by fellow influencer Madi Curtis and also showed Kiser's husband, Brady, holding their infant son. Curtis's daughter was also seen without a life vest.
This recent controversy follows Kiser's attempts to rebrand herself as a water safety advocate earlier this year. In April, she took "full accountability" for what she termed a "preventable accident" that led to Trigg's death.
According to a police report from Chandler, Arizona, Trigg's drowning occurred while Kiser was at a restaurant with friends and her husband was inside watching a basketball game. Trigg reportedly wandered outside unsupervised and fell into the pool while playing with an inflatable chair. Brady Kiser told police he realized something was wrong when he saw their dog looking into the water. He initiated CPR before emergency services arrived.
Investigators noted that the pool was not covered by a net or fence, and that Trigg, who could not swim, was unsupervised in the backyard for over nine minutes, including about seven minutes in the water. The report concluded that Brady Kiser was not aware of his son's actions, a factor that contributed to the drowning.
Local police recommended a felony charge of child neglect, but the Maricopa County Attorney's Office declined to file charges, citing the unlikelihood of a conviction.
Experts emphasize the importance of water safety. Jim Spiers, president of the nonprofit Stop Drowning Now, expressed hope that the public discussion surrounding Kiser's actions could raise awareness. "I think the best choice always should be to have life jackets if you're on a boat," Spiers said. "My hope is that what can come out of this one mom's mistake can educate other people about the right thing to do and how to move forward, if they're going on boats."
Jessica Barnes, who lost her two-year-old daughter to drowning in 2010, now leads the nonprofit Cayla Coats, which provides life jackets and swimming lessons. Barnes, who also serves on the board of Stop Drowning Now, highlighted the responsibility public figures have in promoting water safety. "I have a larger responsibility to share water safety the correct way, whether that is pictures of my children and me, making sure that we are safe around the water," Barnes said. She also acknowledged experiencing online shaming herself and stated, "I really hope it never happens to you. I hope you don't have to experience what so many of us have experienced."
Barnes noted that 83 children had accidentally drowned in Florida alone this year, calling it an epidemic. "You don't think it's going to happen to you until it does. No one is drown–proof."
Spiers advocates for a layered approach to drowning prevention, including swimming lessons, constant adult supervision, secure pool fencing with self-latching gates, CPR training, and an emergency action plan.
A source close to Kiser told the Daily Mail that she "understands people's disappointment and is thankful for the grace their family has received." Kiser reiterated in her statement that the loss of her son "will forever haunt" her family, adding, "We will continue to do better, advocate for better and, as hard as we try to avoid them, still make mistakes. We can only promise that we will never stop learning from them and continue loving our children with everything we have."