Georgia beauty queen Trinity Poague killed boyfriend’s toddler son because she wanted child of her own: prosecutors
Trinity Poague, 20, is facing trial in the Sumter County Superior Court in Georgia for the January 2024 death of 18‑month‑old Romeo Angeles. Prosecutors say she killed the toddler in a jealous outburst, because she wanted to have a child with her boyfriend rather than grow up with his son.
At the time, Poague was a sophomore at Georgia Southwestern State University. According to reports, she texted boyfriend Julian Williams telling him that the baby was not breathing. Williams, who had gone out to grab pizza, rushed back to the dorm room, found Romeo unresponsive, and drove him straight to the emergency room.
Despite emergency medical efforts and an attempted transfer to a children’s hospital in Atlanta, the baby never stabilized and was pronounced dead. A week later, Poague was charged with murder, aggravated battery, and child cruelty. She has pleaded not guilty on all counts.
Prosecutor Lewis Lamb told jurors that Poague’s motive was jealousy; she resented the attention Williams gave to his son and did not want to become a stepmother. He said, “She wanted to have a child or children with Julian Williams,” and then added, “But not that child.” Lamb also cited a text Poague allegedly sent to her roommate, saying, “I can’t stand being around JD anymore. He hates me and I hate him.”
The toddler’s birth certificate lists him as Romeo Angles, but at the hospital, Julian gave the child the name Jaxton Drew, according to Sumter County Coroner Matthew Wright. Wright also noted that Poague’s story changed over time: she first claimed the child had been eating chips prior to losing consciousness, then later told investigators that “he had fallen off the bed.” Medical examiners found blunt‑force injuries to the head and torso that left the brain “useless,” and an emergency room doctor, Dr. Michael Busman, explained that the swelling and nasal fluid indicated a “direct blow.”
If convicted on all charges, Poague could face life without parole or the death penalty.
Poague was crowned Miss Donalsonville in 2023 and later competed in the National Peanut Festival pageant, although she did not place. She has since lost those titles, as reported by the Early County News. After her arrest, she was released on a $75,000 bond—an outcome that outraged Julian, who said it feels like “a slap in the face to me and my family.” He added, “All we want is justice for my son. Letting her out and being free is not right. She took an innocent 1‑year‑old’s life.”
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