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Pageant Queen Sentenced for Infant's Brutal Murder
24 Dec, 2025
Summary
- A former beauty queen was convicted of murder for a toddler's death.
- Injuries indicated severe blunt force trauma to the head and torso.
- She was sentenced to life in prison, eligible for parole in 30 years.
Trinity Poague, a 20-year-old former beauty queen, received a life sentence in December 2025 for the murder of 18-month-old Romeo Angeles. The student nurse was found guilty of felony murder, aggravated battery, and child cruelty after the toddler died from severe blunt force trauma to his head and torso.
Poague's defense claimed her texts expressing frustration were immature, but prosecutors highlighted her jealousy and conflicting stories. Medical examiners confirmed Romeo's brain was rendered 'useless' by the fatal injuries, which were inconsistent with Poague's claims of accidental falls. She was the only person with Romeo when he died.
The incident occurred in January 2024, leading to Poague's arrest and subsequent conviction in 2025. The court heard Romeo was healthy when his father left, but died hours later. Poague will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years of her sentence.
