Influencer Faces Backlash for Boating with Infant Daughter Without a Life Jacket

26 September 2025

Jett (left) and Campbell Puckett with daughter Paloma. Campbell Puckett/Instagram

When Campbell “Pookie” Puckett posted a video on Instagram on September 25 showing her 10-month-old daughter Paloma seated on a boat in Capri without a life jacket the clip quickly triggered concerns from followers and safety experts alike. The footage shows Puckett holding her daughter while aboard a vessel under Italy’s famed Faraglioni arch, with her husband Jett behind the camera narrating the moment. The absence of any visible flotation device on Paloma drew immediate criticism.

Viewers responded fast and forcefully. “What on earth? No life jacket?” wrote one commenter. Another shared a heartfelt plea from experience: “As a boat owner and sufferer of losing a precious young one from drowning please don’t ever ever ever trust the water life jackets always.” Others urged them to listen to their audience and adopt safer practices immediately. The U.S. Coast Guard’s regulations require children under 13 on recreational vessels to wear approved life jackets, a standard many critics pointed out in the comments.

The Puckett couple, who first gained widespread attention through their “Pookie” branding on TikTok, have not yet issued a public explanation or apology for the post. Their online presence has long celebrated familial moments, style, travel and lifestyle content. They introduced Paloma to their followers in November 2024 and have shared many snapshots of their life, often with affectionate and cinematic framing.

In the clip that sparked backlash Jett is heard saying, “Paloma, it took your mother and I almost 30 years to make it to Capri you made it in just 10 months.” He then gestures toward the arch overhead. In later frames he adds romantically that legend holds a kiss beneath the arch signifies eternal togetherness. The setting is picturesque, casual and intimate until the visual omission of a life vest shifts the tone.

While boating regulations differ by jurisdiction the principle of child safety on water is nearly universal. Many shorelines, boating associations, and pediatric health organizations emphasize that the unpredictability of water means fall risk is always present, even for experienced swimmers or calm waters. Critics argued that the video, though meant to capture a cherished family memory, failed to account for that risk.

A portion of the online commentary defended the Pucketts, suggesting that the clip may have been brief or staged for video rather than representative of the entire moment. Some followers cautioned against jumping to harsh judgment, calling for empathy and giving them a chance to explain. Others speculated that the family might have equipment ready but not captured in the frame.

Still, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about responsibility among public figures, particularly those whose audiences include young or vulnerable viewers. Influencers who share parenting or lifestyle content often face scrutiny when their choices especially regarding child safety become visible in mass media. In this instance the video has raised questions about how much accountability should be expected and how much forgiveness should be afforded.

Some voices in the parenting and safety communities pointed out that influencers have an opportunity and a burden to model safe behavior. In moments like this, what is shown often becomes what is learned. A child riding without a life jacket becomes less an exception and more a statement about what is permissible, especially when posted to tens or hundreds of thousands of followers.

As of now the Pucketts have remained silent on the specific criticism. There is no public acknowledgment or clarification about whether the video was edited, staged, or incomplete with respect to safety protocols. Nor have they commented on whether safety was neglected or an oversight.

For their audience, the moment may linger not because of any malintent but because it is a reminder that visibility carries weight. In the landscape of social media the difference between celebration and condemnation can hinge on a single detail. For Campbell, Jett, Paloma and their community the lesson may be loudest in what was omitted.