Former Miss Donalsonville pleads not guilty in toddler’s death
AMERICUS, Ga. (WALB) - A pageant queen charged with the murder of an 18-month-old baby boy says she’s not guilty of the child’s killing.
Former Miss Donalsonville Trinity Poague faces charges including felony murder and entered a not-guilty plea on Wednesday at her arraignment.
The toddler’s father says he feels justice is not being served.
“The State vs. Trinity Poague. Good morning, your honor. On behalf of Ms. Poague, she is present, we enter a not guilty plea.”
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Poague pleaded not guilty to the charges that included two counts of felony murder and cruelty to children in the first degree. According to Sumter County Deputy Coroner Matthis Wright, the cause of death of 18-month-old Romeo Angeles was blunt force trauma.
Angeles’ father Julian Williams says in part, “I feel very frustrated and upset... With her pleading not guilty knowing that she is guilty is just not right. I feel like the court is trying to give her a slap on the wrist.”
“You and Miss Poague are free to go.”
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Poague has been released on a $75,000 bail with flexible conditions. She’s allowed to leave the county, she has to wear an ankle monitor, stay out of trouble with the law and she can’t abuse drugs or alcohol.
Williams says Poague being out on bail has left his family on an emotional roller coaster.
“This feels like a slap in the face to me and my family,” Williams said. “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.”
Students at GSW said they actually heard something unusual on the day of Angeles’ death in their dorms.
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“That kid was crying for a long time and suddenly it just stopped, and no one knew what happened,” said Lilly Walterman, a GSW student.
Deputy Coroner Wright says within the days, they will have an update on the autopsy.
So moving forward, what’s going to happen?
There is a trial date set and her lawyer will keep WALB updated if they meet that Oct. 24 trial date or if they would need to reschedule.
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