Trinity Poague is a former Georgia beauty pageant winner who was convicted in connection with the death of her boyfriend’s 18‑month‑old son, Romeo “Jaxton Dru” Angeles.

What she was accused of

Reports describe that the toddler was found unresponsive in Poague’s dorm room at Georgia Southwestern State University in January 2024 and later died at a hospital. Authorities and medical evidence indicated he had suffered blunt force trauma to his head and torso, including severe liver damage and catastrophic brain injury.

Prosecutors alleged that Poague violently abused the child, including shaking him and inflicting blows inconsistent with an accidental fall, and presented text messages in which she allegedly expressed hostility toward the toddler and a wish to harm him.

Charges and conviction

Poague was charged with malice murder, two counts of felony murder, first‑degree cruelty to children, and two counts of aggravated battery in connection with the child’s death. A jury ultimately found her guilty on five of the six counts, acquitting her only of malice murder.

Sentence

Following the verdict, the court sentenced Poague to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years on a felony‑murder count, along with an additional concurrent 20‑year sentence for first‑degree cruelty to children.