Chandler, Arizona – The 3-year-old son of TikTok influencer Emilie Kiser, Trigg Kiser, tragically drowned in the family's backyard pool on May 12, 2025, succumbing to his injuries six days later on May 18. New details from police reports reveal that Trigg's father, Brady Kiser, was reportedly watching an NBA playoff game on which he had placed a $25 bet at the time of the incident. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office has since announced that Brady Kiser will not face charges in connection with his son's death.
According to police reports obtained by various media outlets, Brady Kiser admitted to officers that he was "sitting on the couch" watching an NBA playoff game and had placed a $25 wager on its outcome. Trigg was reportedly in the pool for approximately seven minutes before his father discovered him unresponsive. Police noted discrepancies between Brady Kiser's statements and video evidence, concluding that he "was not aware of what [Trigg] was doing and was not watching him," which contributed to the tragic outcome.
The Chandler Police Department had initially recommended a felony child abuse charge against Brady Kiser, citing negligence in supervision. However, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell confirmed that prosecutors would not be proceeding with charges. Mitchell stated that there was "no reasonable likelihood of a conviction," leading to the decision to close the case without prosecution.
At the time of the drowning, Emilie Kiser, known for her lifestyle content on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, was out with friends, leaving Brady Kiser to care for Trigg and their newborn son, Theodore. Brady Kiser told police he last saw Trigg near the pool and then left to get a drink, finding his son in the pool upon his return. Police reports indicate he acted immediately upon discovering Trigg, despite earlier claims of distraction.
The incident has drawn significant public attention, with the revelation of the basketball bet sparking widespread discussion. While police reports highlighted the combination of factors leading to the drowning, the Maricopa County Attorney's decision underscores the legal complexities in proving criminal negligence in such tragic accidents.