An R&B trio from Chattanooga that appeared on “America’s Got Talent” will continue performing while its third member, Deshundre “Dre” Vinson, faces a first-degree murder charge following the death of his 4-year-old nephew.
The group and its management will not publicly discuss the facts or circumstances of the case at this time, according to a Wednesday statement on the group’s Facebook page.
The group includes Vinson and his first cousins, A.T. and Marion, who were raised as brothers in a household of 12 siblings.
“The members and management of CitiLimitz remain heartbroken by the tragic loss of Dre’s young nephew, a beloved member of our family,” the statement said.
(READ MORE: R&B trio CitiLimitz from Chattanooga to appear on ‘America’s Got Talent’)
During Vinson’s absence, A.T. and Marion will continue with the group’s recording and previously scheduled professional commitments, according to the statement. As the legal case proceeds, CitiLimitz and its management asked the public for compassion and privacy.
Vinson, 22, appeared for his first court hearing Tuesday after his Sept. 2 arrest. Police said in his arrest report Vinson was babysitting Aug. 16 when his nephew fell into an apartment complex pool and spent about nine minutes underwater.
The child was taken to a hospital and died five days later, the report said. Vinson faces one charge of first-degree murder and three charges of aggravated child abuse, according to Hamilton County court records.
Officers were responding to an unrelated incident at an apartment complex off Central Avenue when they heard screaming from the pool area, the arrest report said. Police said they then found a civilian performing CPR on a 4-year-old.
Investigators later determined the child and his 6-year-old brother had walked 0.2 miles to a swimming pool while Vinson was supposed to be watching them and other children, the report said.
Surveillance footage did not show Vinson at the pool before, during or after the drowning, police said. Investigators also obtained messages from Vinson to the child’s mother acknowledging a lack of supervision and response to the scene, according to the arrest report.
Vinson’s attorney, Gerald Webb, said Tuesday the child’s death was not intentional, and Webb asked the public to reserve judgment as the state continues to investigate.
Webb said not all of the facts available to prosecutors were included in the arrest report. He told reporters he believes the case could be resolved once more information becomes available.
According to his defense attorney, Vinson is a good man with no prior arrests. No matter what happened, Webb said, his client lost his nephew.
“This child’s mother, and the family, and Mr. Vinson, who is this child’s uncle, will have to live with that for as long as they do,” Webb said.
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Executive Assistant District Attorney Andrew Coyle said by text Tuesday that because the case remains pending, the prosecutor is unable to comment.
Vinson remains in custody at the Hamilton County Jail on a total bond of $900,000. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16 before Hamilton County General Sessions Judge Samantha Lunn.
Contact courts reporter Mason Edwards at medwards@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6409.