AMERICUS, Georgia – Trinity Madison Poague, a former beauty pageant queen, has been arrested and charged with the murder of an 18-month-old boy, according to state authorities. Poague, 18, was taken into custody in Americus, Georgia on Friday and is currently being held in the Sumter County Jail without bond on charges of aggravated battery, felony murder, and cruelty to a child.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) stated in a news release that Poague was arrested after extensive interviews and examination of evidence. The GBI was called in to investigate the death of the child, who had been admitted to Phoebe Sumter Hospital in Americus as an unresponsive patient and later died.
No further information regarding the relationship between Poague and the boy has been released at this time. However, local news reports state that Poague is not a parent.
Origins of Donalsonville, Georgia, Poague was crowned Miss Donalsonville 2023 and participated in the Miss National Peanut Festival in October, although she did not secure a placement. Her Instagram posts indicate her gratitude for the experiences she gained throughout her reign as Miss Donalsonville.
Graduating with honors from Southwest Georgia Academy in the previous year, Poague embarked on her freshman year at Georgia Southwestern State University.
The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been contacted for further details.