The murder trial of Trinity Poague, a Georgia woman accused of killing her boyfriend’s toddler, moved into its closing arguments on Friday morning in Sumter County.
Poague faces charges of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated battery, and cruelty to children concerning the death of young Romeo “Jaxton Dru” Angeles, as previously reported by CrimeOnline.
Prosecutors on Thursday emphasized that Poague was the only person present with Jaxton in her dorm room at Southwestern State University in Americus, according to Court TV.
The tragic incident occurred on January 14, 2025, when Jaxton succumbed to injuries allegedly inflicted by Poague, involving blunt force trauma to his head and torso. Poague initially stated the boy had fallen from a bed.
However, Dr. Michael Busman, a family physician at Phoebe Sumter, testified this week that Jaxton’s injuries did not align with a fall from a bed.
In a later admission, Poague confessed to shaking the toddler in response to his misbehavior.
Busman, who said he has over 30 years of experience working in an emergency room, stated Jaxton was unresponsive with no pulse when he arrived at the hospital.
Once they detected a heartbeat, medical staff saw head swelling that came from a “from a direct blow.” Medical staff also found liquid coming out of his nose and facial swelling.
Two former GSW students testified Thursday that they heard Jaxton crying frequently while with Poague. Other students testified that they never had issued with Poague when she babysat their children.
Poague’s defense lawyer, Wilbur T. Gamble III, called the child’s father, Julian Williams, a “controlling boyfriend,” who drank the night prior.
Prosecutors argued that the defendant resented Jaxon and wanted a child of her own with Williams. She allegedly sent text messages to friends, stating that she wanted to “punch the child and that they hated each other.”
Meanwhile, the child’s mother, Angeles Garnica, told DailyMail that she had been living in Florida when she learned her son had died.
“His life was taken at such an early age, and it’s just been hard since everything started,’ Garnica said.
“I just hope – we hope – that my son gets the justice that he deserves.”
If convicted, Poague faces a life sentence.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photos via Find a Grave/Facebook]
