TikTok influencer Emilie Kiser issues her first public statement since three-year-old son's death

TikTok influencer Emilie Kiser has issued her first public statement since her three-year-old son's death.

Back in May, Chandler Police were called to the 26-year-old's property following reports of a possible drowning and, shortly after arriving at the Arizona-based home - which is around 25 miles outside of Phoenix - they found that the child had fallen into his family's pool, sustaining several injuries before being pulled from the water.

CPR was immediately performed on the toddler by responding officers, before paramedics took over in an attempt to save the boy's life.

First responders ruled that Trigg was in critical condition, before later being transferred via ambulance to a nearby medical facility - Chandler Regional Hospital.

He was later flown to Phoenix Children’s Hospital where he tragically died of his injuries just six days later, on 18 May.

Kiser has now taken to social media (28 August) to share a message with her 1.7 million followers on Instagram.

The statement reads in full: "Loss of this magnitude feels impossible to put into words. I've spent days, weeks, months trying to find them and also take the time I've needed to digest the loss of my baby.

"Trigg is our baby and our best friend. The light and spirit he brought into this world was bright, pure, joyful, and undeniable. We miss him every second of every day and continuing forward often feels unbearable. I never thought we would experience grief in this way or the pain of losing him so suddenly. It's a pain, heartache, and void that no family should ever have to endure.

"I take full accountability as Trigg's mother, and I know I should have done more to protect him. 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. I hope amidst this pain, Trigg's story will help prevent other children and families from suffering the same loss."

Kiser continued: "To our family: we would not be getting through this without you. The support you have given us, the unconditional love, and the way you show up is something we will never be able to repay or thank you enough for. We truly have the best and most supportive friends and family who have, quite literally, carried us through this and continue to do so daily.

"To my audience and the people who have supported us: I cannot thank you enough for the kind messages I have received, for the outpouring of love for our family, and for the support you have brought to me in these extremely tough times.

"The only way through grief is to keep going minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, and every moment since that day I've done my best to keep picking myself up.

"When I started on social media in 2021 as a new mom, my goal was to connect with other moms and find a community. I have found that and so much more through all of you. I found a community, a hobby I love, and a job I am so grateful for. I have always been my authentic self on social media and tried my best to share my everyday life honestly, while also being mindful of what I didn't choose to share. I now have seen through this tragedy how relationships online lack boundaries, especially in protecting children's privacy."

She rounded off the statement writing: "Moving forward, I will be establishing more boundaries with what I share online.

"In the future, I hope to be in a place to share more about how I am navigating this grief, but right now, all I can say is thank you for the love, compassion, patience and space you've given us to grieve. I am more grateful for it than can ever be expressed. Emilie."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.