Former America’s Got Talent contestant charged with first-degree murder in 4-year-old nephew’s death
The charges stem from an August 16 incident at an apartment complex where the boy drowned in a swimming pool
Former America’s Got Talent contestant Deshundre Vinson has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated child abuse in connection with the death of his 4-year-old nephew.
Vinson, 22, was arrested in Tennessee on Wednesday, September 2, according to Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office inmate records reviewed by PEOPLE. His bond was set at $750,000, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8.
The charges stem from an August 16 incident at an apartment complex in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the young boy drowned in a swimming pool. Chattanooga police officers were responding to an unrelated incident at around 5:40 p.m. when they heard screaming coming from the pool area.
Officers found a civilian performing CPR on the child, who had been pulled from the water and appeared to be unconscious. He was taken to hospital and remained in the paediatric intensive care unit for approximately five days before he died from his injuries.
According to surveillance footage reviewed by investigators, the child walked towards the centre edge of the pool before entering deeper water while holding onto the edge. He appeared to slip and struggle before going underwater.
The footage reportedly showed the boy remaining underwater for approximately nine minutes before someone noticed him and pulled him from the pool. A separate local report said investigators did not see Vinson at the pool before, during or after the drowning.
Police determined that Vinson had been responsible for supervising the child, his 6-year-old brother and other children that day. Investigators also found that the 4-year-old and his brother had walked approximately 0.2 miles to the apartment pool without adult supervision, according to the arrest investigation reported by PEOPLE.
Investigators also obtained messages exchanged between Vinson and the boy’s mother in which he allegedly acknowledged the lack of supervision and his delayed response after the child got into trouble in the pool.
The pool reportedly had signs warning that there was no lifeguard on duty and that children under 14 were not permitted to use it without an adult.
Vinson became known nationally as a member of the R&B trio Citi Limitz, which appeared on America’s Got Talent and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The group gained attention after going viral on TikTok and later appeared on America’s Got Talent in 2025.
PEOPLE reported that it contacted the Chattanooga Police Department for comment on September 5 but had not received an immediate response.
Vinson remains in custody as the case moves through the courts. The charges against him are allegations, and he has not been convicted of the offences.
His next court appearance is scheduled for September 8.
