Former America’s Got Talent contestant Deshundre Vinson has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the drowning death of his 4-year-old nephew, who authorities say was underwater for nine minutes, reports BritPanorama.
Vinson, 22, was arrested Wednesday in Chattanooga, Tennessee, following the August 16 incident at a local swimming pool. He faces allegations of first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated child abuse, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities were responding to a separate incident at an apartment complex when they heard screams from the pool area. Witnesses reported that CPR was already in process when they arrived, with the boy appearing unconscious after being pulled from the water.
He had reportedly been underwater for approximately nine minutes, as detailed in an arrest affidavit obtained by law enforcement. The child was transported to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries five days later.
Surveillance footage captured the boy walking from the edge of the pool into deeper water. The affidavit indicates he struggled before going under, prompting someone to rescue him. Police later established that Vinson was responsible for babysitting the boy and his 6-year-old brother, among other children, during the incident.
Despite this responsibility, Vinson allegedly allowed the two young boys to walk unsupervised two-tenths of a mile to the apartment pool. Investigators noted that Vinson communicated with the boys’ mother, admitting to a lack of supervision and a delayed response to the drowning.
Additionally, it came to light that Vinson and the individual whose name was on the apartment lease vacated the property shortly after the drowning incident occurred. He is scheduled to appear in court next Tuesday.
As an artist, Vinson is part of Citi Limitz, an R&B trio that has performed on both The Ellen DeGeneres Show and America’s Got Talent.
This tragic incident raises significant questions regarding the responsibilities of guardianship and the supervision of children in potentially dangerous environments.
