Beauty Queen Breaks Down in Tears as She’s Sentenced to LIFE for Brutally Killing Boyfriend’s Toddler
In December 2025, Trinity Madison Poague, a 20-year-old former beauty pageant queen from Georgia (previously crowned Miss Donalsonville and a contestant in local events like the Peanut Festival), was convicted and sentenced for the tragic death of 18-month-old Jaxton Dru Angeles (also known as Romeo Angeles or J.D.), the young son of her then-boyfriend.The fatal incident took place in January 2024 inside a dorm room at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia.
At the time, Poague was 18 years old and caring for the toddler while his father, Julian Williams, briefly stepped out to pick up pizza. Upon returning, the father discovered the child unresponsive and immediately rushed him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead despite medical efforts.Forensic examinations and expert testimony during the trial revealed severe injuries, including a skull fracture, brain hemorrhage, blunt-force trauma to the head and torso, liver damage, and additional internal trauma such as hemorrhaging around the ribs and injury to the adrenal gland. Medical experts described these as consistent with a powerful, intentional blow or series of blows, ruling the death a homicide caused by abusive head and body trauma.
Prosecutors presented disturbing evidence from Poague’s messages and communications, including texts where she expressed intense resentment toward the child, such as statements along the lines of “He hates me and I hate him.” The state argued that her actions stemmed from jealousy and frustration, as she reportedly resented the toddler’s presence and even desired to have a child of her own with the boyfriend instead.
After a multi-day trial in Sumter County that included testimony from the child’s father, medical examiners, and other witnesses, the jury deliberated and found Poague not guilty of the most serious charge of malice murder. However, she was convicted on multiple serious counts, including felony murder (two counts), aggravated battery (or aggravated assault in some reports), and first-degree cruelty to children (child abuse).On December 5, 2025, the judge sentenced her to life imprisonment, with the possibility of parole only after serving a minimum of 30 years. During the sentencing hearing, Poague reportedly broke down in tears as the verdict and sentence were announced.This case drew significant attention due to Poague’s background as a former reigning pageant titleholder and the shocking nature of the crime involving a defenseless toddler. 23 web pages
