Garrett Gee responds to backlash after a viral video showed him throwing his 7-year-old son off a cliff at Lake Powell. The dad-of-three says critics misunderstood his parenting style.
A father who sparked outrage online for a viral video of him throwing his 7-year-old son off a cliff has finally spoken out.
Garrett Gee, an entrepreneur and dad-of-three with over 438,000 Instagram followers, faced heavy criticism earlier this year when footage showed him tossing his young son, Calihan, into the waters of Lake Powell.
The Viral Cliff Jump
Gee explained that the jump was meant to be a confidence-building moment. He wanted his son to experience cliff diving but worried that hesitation might cause Calihan to slip and injure himself on the rocky cliff face.
“Really the biggest danger would be if he hesitated, didn’t jump far out, and fell down the cliff side,” Gee wrote on Instagram.
“So to be extra safe, because he wanted to jump but was not feeling confident… I threw him.”
He compared the moment to a baby eagle leaving its nest, saying: “Eventually a baby eagle needs to leave the nest… or be tossed out and learn HE CAN FLY!”
After tossing his son, Gee quickly followed with his own jump. Calihan was unharmed, and the video also showed his older siblings taking the plunge.
Backlash Online
View this post on Instagram
Despite Gee’s explanation, viewers were quick to condemn the act. Many labeled it “irresponsible” and accused him of reckless parenting.
“Irresponsible, terrible parenting,” one commenter wrote.
Another said: “He didn’t look happy. He looked traumatized.”
The video quickly spread across social media, fueling a heated debate on parenting boundaries and whether Gee crossed a line.
Gee Breaks His Silence
Months after the controversy, Gee has now addressed the backlash in an interview with PEOPLE.
“If somebody came across that video and had only seen that video, then I agree with them,” he said. “But anyone who has followed our journey for a longer time, they understand how thoughtful and cautious we are as parents.”
Gee defended his parenting philosophy, explaining that he wants his children to push beyond their comfort zones:
“That’s not the best way to live life. When people were upset or terrified by the video, those were the people whom I thought, ‘I would love to go on an adventure with you and help you try something new.’”
The father of three emphasized that while the video looked shocking to outsiders, it reflected a carefully considered approach to teaching his kids confidence, courage, and adventure.
