'America’s Got Talent' alum charged with murder of 4-year-old nephew who drowned in pool unattended

A former contestant on America’s Got Talent has been charged with murder after his four-year-old nephew drowned in a Chattanooga, Tennessee, apartment complex pool after being left unattended without supervision for nine minutes.

22-year-old Deshundre Vinson was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated child abuse. The charges stem from an August incident in which Vinson was responsible for babysitting the child along with his 6-year-old brother.

According to the arrest investigation, the children were allowed to walk roughly 0.2 miles to the building’s swimming pool without adult supervision. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the child slipping into the pool and struggling before sinking below the surface, according to a report by WTVC. The boy remained in the pool for nine minutes before he was discovered.

Officers who arrived at the scene after responding to the building on a separate incident heard screaming from the pool and found a bystander performing CPR. The boy was transported to the hospital and remained unconscious. He was declared dead from his injuries five days later.

In messages sent to the child’s mother, Vinson acknowledged the lack of supervision and a delayed response. He was arrested and remains in custody, with the judge in the case setting a $900,000 bond.

Vinson had previously drawn attention for his appearance on America’s Got Talent as a member of the R&B trio Citi Limitz. He had gone viral on TikTok and also appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show in 2019.

Vinson’s next court date is scheduled for September 8.