Judge Approves Redaction in Trigg Kiser Police Report

Court grants Emilie Kiser’s request to redact graphic details from the Trigg Kiser police report, citing dignity, privacy, and concerns over misuse of content.

Court Sides with Emilie Kiser in Redaction Request

A Maricopa County judge has approved Emilie Kiser’s request to remove two pages of graphic details from the Trigg Kiser police report following the drowning death of her 3-year-old son. The Arizona Superior Court ruling, delivered on August 8, grants a “narrow but meaningful” redaction from the Chandler Police Department’s investigation into the tragic May 12 incident.

Judge Christopher Whitten wrote in his decision that the omitted transcript portions “are not necessary for public accountability” and would serve “no purpose other than satisfying morbid curiosity.” Emilie’s legal team argued that such details could be misused to create “disturbing” content, including AI-generated reenactments of the incident.

The court emphasized that the redactions do not change any material facts of the case but instead aim to protect the dignity of the young child, whose death captured national attention due to his mother’s large social media following.

The Day of the Tragedy

According to the Chandler Police Department report, Trigg Kiser was at home with his father, Brady, and newborn brother, Theodore, while Emilie was out with friends. Surveillance footage shows the boy playing unsupervised in the backyard near the family’s pool for over nine minutes.

The report states that Trigg was “playing around the unsecured pool” when he tripped and fell in while interacting with an inflatable chair. He remained submerged for nearly seven minutes before Brady found him unconscious.

First responders rushed Trigg to the hospital, but despite medical efforts, he died on May 18—six days after the drowning. Investigators noted discrepancies between Brady’s account and the video evidence, particularly regarding the length of time Trigg was out of sight.

Police Recommendation and Prosecutor’s Decision

Following their investigation, Chandler police recommended a Class 4 felony child abuse charge against Brady Kiser, citing negligence in pool safety and supervision. The family’s pool typically had a protective cover, but it had been removed and not replaced on the day of the incident.

However, on July 25, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that prosecutors would not pursue charges, stating there was “no reasonable likelihood of conviction.” The decision was based in part on the surveillance video, which showed how the drowning occurred and established the timeline of events.

Legal Battle Over the Police Report

The Trigg Kiser police report quickly became a focal point of public interest, with over 100 public records requests filed to the City of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office. Emilie filed multiple motions seeking to limit public access to sensitive details, arguing that the explicit descriptions of her son’s final moments could cause harm if widely circulated.

Her concerns extended to the potential misuse of these details for sensationalized or artificial intelligence-generated content. Attorney Shannon Clark stated:

“These redactions do not alter any material facts of the accident, but they protect the dignity of a little boy whose memory should reflect the love and light he brought to the world.”

Public Interest vs. Privacy

The Arizona Republic, represented by attorney Michael Kelley, opposed the redactions, arguing that the removed content included “critical information and context” necessary for the public to understand the investigation and the prosecutorial decision.

Judge Whitten ultimately sided with Emilie, noting that the omitted details were not essential for public accountability. The ruling highlighted the ongoing legal balancing act between transparency in public records and the privacy rights of grieving families.

Timeline of Key Events

• May 12, 2025 – Trigg Kiser falls into the family’s backyard pool in Chandler, AZ.
• May 18, 2025 – Trigg dies in the hospital from drowning-related injuries.
• July 16, 2025 – Chandler Police recommend charging Brady Kiser with felony child abuse.
• July 25, 2025 – Prosecutors decline to file charges due to insufficient likelihood of conviction.
• Late July 2025 – Emilie files a request to remove two pages from the police report.
• August 8, 2025 – Judge grants redaction request, citing privacy and dignity concerns.

Broader Implications for Public Records

This case adds to the ongoing debate about the balance between public transparency and personal privacy in sensitive investigations. While public records are vital for accountability, there is increasing concern about how easily such content can be misused in the digital age.

Experts warn that with the rise of AI tools capable of creating lifelike reenactments, explicit details from police reports can be exploited for sensationalist or harmful purposes. In this case, Emilie’s legal team successfully argued that protecting a child’s dignity outweighed the public’s need for graphic details.

Community Reaction

Public reaction to the ruling has been divided. Supporters commend the court for prioritizing compassion and shielding a grieving family from additional trauma. Critics argue that withholding parts of the report sets a precedent for limiting access to potentially important information in public investigations.

For many, the tragedy also serves as a reminder about the importance of pool safety and child supervision—especially in households with young children and open water sources.

Pool Safety Reminders for Parents

While the circumstances of Trigg’s death are unique, safety experts emphasize proactive steps every household can take to reduce the risk of child drownings:

• Always supervise children near water, even briefly.
• Install barriers or covers on pools when not in use.
• Keep flotation devices and rescue tools nearby.
• Teach children basic swimming and water safety skills.
• Avoid distractions—such as phone use—while supervising.

Conclusion

The Trigg Kiser police report ruling underscores the tension between the public’s right to know and a family’s right to grieve in peace. Judge Whitten’s decision to allow redactions acknowledges both the investigative record and the emotional toll on surviving loved ones.

While the legal chapter of this case may be closing, the emotional impact will remain for those closest to Trigg—and for a community that watched the tragedy unfold.