Georgia Woman and Former Beauty Queen Sentenced to Life in Prison for Brutal Killing of Ex-Boyfriend’s 18-Month-Old Son in Campus Dorm Room
GEORGIA — A former Georgia beauty queen was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years for the killing of her ex-boyfriend’s 18-month-old son, a crime prosecutors described as an act of extreme violence fueled by jealousy. The case, which occurred in January 2024 inside a dorm room at Georgia Southwestern State University, has drawn widespread outrage due to the severity of the injuries inflicted on the child and the disturbing evidence shared in court.
Prosecutors: Child Suffered Fractured Skull, Brain Bleeds, and Internal Trauma
Investigators testified that Trinity Madison Poague, formerly crowned Miss Donalsonville 2023, was babysitting the toddler, Romeo Angeles, when she inflicted severe blunt-force trauma resulting in:
- A fractured skull
- Multiple brain bleeds
- Significant internal injuries
Medical experts stated the wounds were far too severe to match Poague’s initial claim that the toddler “fell off the bed.”
Prosecutors also introduced text messages reflecting resentment toward the child and internet searches made around the time of the attack, including how to “get a brain bleed.”
Motive Linked to Jealousy and Desire for a Child of Her Own, Prosecutors Say
During the trial, the state argued that Poague’s motive stemmed from a desire to have a child with her boyfriend and jealousy toward his existing son. The jury convicted her on charges of:
- Felony murder
- Aggravated battery
- First-degree cruelty to children
The judge ordered life imprisonment, with an additional 20-year sentence to run concurrently.
In emotional courtroom footage, Poague broke down as the sentence was read, while the victim’s family described Romeo as a happy, healthy toddler whose life was taken “in a moment of senseless violence.”
Community Shock as Disturbing Case Draws National Attention
The case has sparked conversations across Georgia and beyond, particularly due to Poague’s former public image as a pageant winner. Many expressed disbelief that the woman once celebrated on a stage was capable of such brutality behind closed doors.
Law experts note that the evidence — including digital activity and medical findings — left little room for an alternative explanation, contributing to the swift guilty verdict.
Officials emphasized that the severity of the toddler’s injuries reflected intentional harm, not an accident, concluding that Romeo endured fatal trauma while under Poague’s care.
How do cases like this shape your view of child safety and accountability? Share your thoughts with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
