Former Georgia beauty queen Trinity Madison Poague was overcome with emotion in court as she faced sentencing for the tragic murder of her ex-boyfriend’s toddler son. The heartbreaking case unfolded in Sumter County Superior Court in Georgia, where Poague, now 20, was found guilty of felony murder, aggravated battery, and child cruelty for the January 2024 death of 18-month-old Romeo “Jaxton Dru” Angeles.
Although Poague was acquitted of malice murder, the gravity of the situation hit her hard as she broke down in tears when the judge handed down a life sentence along with an additional 20 concurrent years. The sentencing came shortly after the jury’s guilty verdict was announced, leaving Poague visibly distressed as she faced the consequences of her actions.
The tragic incident took place in a dorm room at Georgia Southwestern State University, where Poague, a sophomore at the time, was caring for Julian Williams’ son while he was out picking up a pizza. Poague texted Williams that the toddler was not breathing, prompting a frantic rush back to the dorm room. Despite immediate efforts to save Romeo, he tragically passed away at the ER.
The prosecution argued during the trial that Poague had malicious intentions, fueled by her desire to have a child with Williams. They claimed that she harbored resentment towards the toddler because he was not the child she wanted. Shockingly, evidence revealed that Poague had searched for disturbing terms such as “How do you get a brain bleed?” and “How can a depressed skull fracture go unnoticed?” while at the hospital.
Medical examinations uncovered severe blunt-force trauma to Romeo’s head and torso, leading to devastating consequences for the young boy. Emergency room physician Dr. Michael Busman testified that the injuries sustained by Romeo were inconsistent with Poague’s initial account of the events, pointing to a direct blow as the cause of his injuries.
Poague’s fall from grace was stark, as she had previously held the title of Miss Donalsonville in 2023 and participated in the National Peanut Festival beauty pageant. However, her involvement in the toddler’s murder led to her arrest and subsequent stripping of her titles.
The courtroom drama and emotional turmoil surrounding Poague’s sentencing serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of her actions. As she faces a life sentence in prison, the tragic loss of young Romeo “Jaxton Dru” Angeles will forever be a haunting reminder of the price paid for her heinous crime.
