Former America’s Got Talent contestant Deshundre Vinson has been charged with first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated child abuse in connection with the drowning death of his 4-year-old nephew.
The 22-year-old, who gained fame as a member of the R&B trio Citi Limits, was arrested in Tennessee on September 2. Authorities allege he was babysitting his nephew and other children at an apartment complex in Chattanooga on August 16 when the boy walked to the pool without adult supervision.
Surveillance footage allegedly shows the 4-year-old slipping into deeper water and remaining submerged for approximately nine minutes before being pulled out. He was rushed to the hospital and remained in the pediatric ICU for five days before dying.
Investigators say Vinson allowed the boy and his 6-year-old brother to walk roughly 0.2 miles to the pool without adult supervision. Authorities also obtained messages between Vinson and the boy’s mother where he allegedly acknowledged the lack of supervision and his delayed response . His bond has been set at $750,000.
