AGT Contestant Arrested for Murder Following Death of 4-Year-Old
Former America’s Got Talent contestant Deshundre Vinson is facing a murder charge linked to the drowning incident of his 4-year-old nephew.
At 22 years old, Vinson has been charged with first-degree murder along with three counts of aggravated child abuse in Chattanooga, Tennessee, following a tragic event at a swimming pool in August, as reported by local station ABC9.
Law enforcement claims that Vinson was babysitting his 4-year-old nephew and his 6-year-old brother on August 16 when he permitted them to walk on their own two-tenths of a mile to an apartment complex swimming pool.
Despite the presence of signs indicating that children under 14 must not use the pool unattended, Vinson did not accompany his nephews.
Police were at the complex for an unrelated issue when they heard screams and discovered someone attempting CPR on the unresponsive 4-year-old. The child was taken to Erlanger Hospital, where he sadly passed away five days later, according to a police report.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage revealing that the boy walked along the pool’s edge before falling into the deep end. He was underwater for approximately nine minutes before anyone realized something was amiss.
A bystander managed to rescue him from the water and started life-saving measures before the police arrived.
Authorities attempted to interview Vinson and the leaseholder of his apartment, but they were reportedly absent. Vinson was located over two weeks later at a nearby residence and subsequently arrested, being held at Hamilton County Jail.
His bond has been set at $750,000, as stated by Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department records. His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8.
According to ABC9, police retrieved messages from Vinson to the mother of his deceased nephew, wherein he acknowledged the children had been unsupervised and indicated a delayed response to the drowning incident.
Vinson gained some recognition as part of the vocal trio CitiLimitz, along with cousins Marionn and A.T. The group auditioned for America’s Got Talent season 20 in 2025, impressing judges Howie Mandel, Mel B, Sofía Vergara, and Simon Cowell with their rendition of K-Ci and JoJo’s 1997 classic “All My Life.” The trio received a standing ovation from Mandel and Mel B at the end of their audition.
“I’m rooting for you. I want you to succeed,” Mel B expressed to CitiLimitz. “Your harmonies? You know your stuff! Well done!”
Cowell echoed similar sentiments, stating, “For me, there’s nothing better than working with a band that works. You’re brothers. You’ve got this natural chemistry anyway. I really liked it!”
CitiLimitz was eliminated during the first quarter-final show of AGT season 20, which aired on August 19, 2026. (American Idol alum Jessica Sanchez ultimately claimed victory on the NBC competition show in September 2025, more than 19 years after she first reached the AGT semi-finals in season 1.)
If you or someone you know is facing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
