Police Say Emilie Kiser’s Husband, Brady, May Face Child Abuse Charge After 3-Year-Old Son’s Drowning

The tragic death of a child is always hard to process, and when that loss becomes the focus of a police investigation, media coverage, and public speculation, the grief becomes even heavier. That’s what Emilie and Brady Kiser are facing now, as the drowning of their 3-year-old son, Trigg, in their backyard pool has turned into a legal case that may result in criminal charges. Here's where the investigation currently stands.

On Tuesday, July 15, the Chandler Police Department in Arizona announced that they had completed their investigation into the incident. Their update, posted on X (formerly Twitter), revealed that detectives are recommending a Class 4 felony charge of child abuse against Brady Kiser.

The case has been submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, which will now decide whether to pursue charges. If the county attorney moves forward, the case will go back to CPD for additional steps.

If not, the case could be dropped altogether. Either way, the decision is now out of the police department’s hands.

The incident happened on Monday, May 12. According to Brady’s statement to officers, he was at home with both Trigg and the couple’s newborn son, Theodore, while Emilie was out with friends. Brady said he noticed Trigg playing near the pool—something he claimed wasn’t unusual—and stated that the pool was typically covered for safety.

Brady Lost Track of Trigg While Tending to a Newborn.

But in those few moments, Brady turned his attention to caring for the newborn, and he lost track of Trigg. He told officers that three to five minutes passed before he went back outside and found his son floating in the water.

Emergency responders performed CPR at the scene before transporting Trigg to Chandler Regional Medical Center. He was later moved to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where he remained in critical condition.

Sadly, Trigg passed away from his injuries. The police launched a formal investigation shortly after, including filing search warrants for backyard surveillance footage that might confirm or challenge Brady’s version of events. On May 13, the day after the drowning, CPD investigators formally accused Brady of child abuse.

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Amid Media Frenzy, Emilie Kiser Secured a Temporary Court Order to Keep Details of Trigg’s Death Private.

Meanwhile, the case quickly drew public attention, largely due to Emilie Kiser’s social media presence. As the media picked up on the story, the family found themselves in the middle of an online frenzy.

Emilie responded by filing a legal request to keep certain records related to Trigg’s death private. According to documents filed on May 27 in Arizona Superior Court, she hoped to shield some of the most painful details from public release.

Her lawyer argued that the Kisers “desperately want to grieve in private, but sadly, the public will not let them,” citing the overwhelming media attention surrounding the case. On June 3, the court agreed to grant temporary confidentiality, keeping both Emilie’s statement and her broader privacy request sealed—at least for the time being.

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Emilie Seeks Privacy, Urging the Court to Keep Footage Sealed and Her Statement Private.

A source close to the family said that Emilie’s sealed statement wasn’t meant to influence the legal process but to give the court an honest account of what she was going through.

“It reflects an intensely personal account of her grief and trauma, submitted to help the court understand her perspective—not for public consumption,” the source said.

Despite ongoing interest from the public, the family continues to push for privacy. Two days after the court’s ruling, another source emphasized Emilie’s concern about graphic footage being released.

“She is urging the court to keep private the footage and records related to her young son’s death,” the source said. “Her public profile does not negate her right to privacy. And it certainly doesn’t make her son’s death a matter for public consumption.”

That same source also noted that public agencies have already received over 100 requests for the surveillance footage. The family views that as a grim reflection of morbid curiosity, not a pursuit of justice.

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Understanding the Psychological Impact of Trauma

Experiencing the loss of a child is an immensely traumatic event, which can lead to severe psychological distress. The bereaved parents may suffer from complicated grief, a persistent form of intense grief that interferes with everyday functioning. As noted by Dr. Madeline Levine, child psychologist, "Grief can become complicated when it is intertwined with other stressors, such as public scrutiny or legal issues." The added stress of a police investigation and public scrutiny can further exacerbate the psychological trauma, potentially leading to post-traumatic stress disorder. According to Dr. Kelly McGonigal, health psychologist, "The impact of trauma can be profound, especially when compounded by societal pressures and personal loss."

From a psychological perspective, it's important to consider the impact of media coverage on individuals involved in such tragic incidents. Dr. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, notes, "Media narratives can significantly influence the emotional state of those affected, often amplifying their distress." Responsible reporting is crucial to minimize additional psychological harm to the grieving family, as highlighted on his website, JonathanHaidt.com. Furthermore, Dr. Dan Siegel, a child psychiatrist, emphasizes that "the way stories are told in the media can either support healing or contribute to further trauma," underscoring the need for sensitivity in reporting, as noted on his site, DrDanSiegel.com.

As of July 9, the CPD and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office have asked the court for permission to share relevant documents to help wrap up their respective investigations. At this point, no ruling on that request has been made public.

Whether or not charges are filed, the Kiser family is left dealing with a loss that no legal outcome can undo. The public may be watching, but behind all the updates and court filings, a grieving family is still trying to process the worst day of their lives.

The Role of Social Support in Trauma Recovery

Research shows that social support can play a significant role in helping individuals recover from trauma (Ozbay, Johnson, Dimoulas, Morgan, Charney, & Southwick, 2007). Therefore, it might be beneficial for the Kiser family to engage with supportive networks and therapeutic resources. However, the potential criminal charges could complicate this process, as stigma associated with legal proceedings might lead to social isolation, which can further exacerbate psychological distress.

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

In conclusion, the tragic loss of a child, subsequent police investigation, and media exposure can result in significant psychological distress for the bereaved parents. It's critical to consider these psychological aspects while handling such sensitive cases, keeping in mind the principles of trauma-informed care and the potential for media coverage to exacerbate the trauma. Supportive interventions, both therapeutic and social, can potentially aid in the family's recovery process (Maccallum & Bryant, 2015).