ALBANY, Ga. — An 18-year-old beauty queen from Georgia has been indicted by a grand jury for the murder of her boyfriend’s 18-month-old son. Trinity Poague, the reigning Miss Donalsonville, is facing charges of malice murder, first-degree cruelty to a child, as well as two counts each of felony murder and aggravated battery.
According to the indictment, Poague allegedly inflicted blunt force trauma to Romeo Angeles, also known as Jaxton Dru, causing “serious disfigurement” to his liver and rendering his brain “useless.”
The case came to light on January 14 when the Georgia Southwestern State University Police Department contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation about the child’s death. The unresponsive boy was rushed to Phoebe Sumter Hospital in Americus, where doctors tried to save him but were unsuccessful.
After extensive interviews and a thorough examination of the evidence, agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Poague a few days after the tragic incident. She was taken to the Sumter County Jail, but it remains unclear whether she was incarcerated subsequent to the indictment.
Poague, who had been crowned Miss Donalsonville in 2023, recently competed in the National Peanut Festival beauty pageant, although she did not place.
Local news outlet, The Early County News, reported that Poague has since been stripped of her title in light of the charges against her.
The accused had previously shared her aspirations and gratitude in an Instagram post following the pageant. She expressed contentment in gaining the world during her reign as Miss Donalsonville, regardless of whether she won or lost. Despite not winning the National Peanut Festival crown, she believed the experience taught her valuable lessons and emphasized her gratitude.
According to her Instagram account, Poague enrolled at Georgia Southwestern State University in August. Local CBS affiliate WTVY reported that she had graduated from Southwest Georgia Academy, a college prep school in Damascus.
The trial proceedings for Trinity Poague will bring the community’s attention to the tragic death of Romeo Angeles, as the accused beauty queen faces multiple serious charges related to the toddler’s murder.