Americus, Georgia — A former Georgia pageant queen has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal killing of her boyfriend’s 18-month-old son inside her college dorm room earlier this year.
19-year-old Trinity Poague, who once held the title of Miss Donalsonville, received her sentence on December 5 after jurors found her guilty on multiple charges, including two counts of felony murder.
Jury Verdict Leads to Emotional Courtroom Moments
During the sentencing hearing, Poague remained mostly composed, but she broke down earlier when hearing the jury’s verdict. Judge W. James Sizemore Jr. of the Southwestern Circuit Court delivered the sentence, noting that the seriousness of the case warranted the maximum penalty.
“The bottom line is you’re going to receive a sentence of life in prison, which is the appropriate sentence for the conduct that you have been convicted of,” the judge said, adding that Poague will also serve an additional 20 years concurrently.
Court footage shared by Court TV revealed the emotional tension in the courtroom as the judge handed down the sentence for crimes prosecutors described as deeply disturbing and intentional.
Toddler Found Unresponsive in College Dorm
Poague was first arrested in January 2024 after authorities discovered an unresponsive toddler on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the child — later identified as 18-month-old Romeo Angeles, also known as Jaxton Drew — was found in Poague’s dorm room on January 14, 2024. Poague was 18 years old and a student at the university at the time.
Students living in the dorm later told reporters they had heard a child crying for an extended period that day.
“Everyone said that suddenly it just stopped,” said student Lilly Waterman, recalling the disturbing shift. “And no one knew what happened.”
When emergency responders arrived, efforts to revive the toddler were unsuccessful.
Prosecutors Say Jealousy Motivated the Deadly Abuse
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Poague had grown resentful of the child and wanted to have a baby of her own with her boyfriend. Courtroom footage showed that the state’s case centered on establishing motive and detailing the severity of the injuries.
According to an indictment previously reported by WALB and WDHN, authorities alleged that Poague inflicted “blunt-force trauma to the head and torso” of the toddler. The GBI confirmed the findings, stating that the injuries were consistent with severe physical abuse and incompatible with accidental harm.
Investigators also pointed to inconsistencies in Poague’s account of what happened, adding to the mounting evidence that led jurors to the guilty verdict.
Pageant Title Revoked After Charges Filed
Before her arrest, Poague had been crowned Miss Donalsonville 2024, a title she received just days before the fatal incident. Once charges were announced, the pageant organization stripped her of the crown, distancing itself from the ongoing investigation. Early County News reported that the organization expressed deep sadness over the case and sympathy for the victim’s family.
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The community in Donalsonville and across Sumter County has been left stunned by the nature of the crime and the fact that it occurred inside a college dormitory — a place not typically associated with such violence.
Community Reaction and Continuing Reflection
The death of Romeo Angeles has prompted widespread grief, reflection, and calls for awareness about signs of child abuse. Students and residents say the case has left a lasting impact, especially on those who lived near Poague and heard the cries that preceded the tragedy.
As Poague begins her life sentence, questions remain about how the situation escalated to such a deadly outcome and what more can be done to protect vulnerable children in similar circumstances.
Share Your Thoughts
What steps can communities and institutions take to better identify and respond to signs of child abuse before tragedy occurs? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
