Beauty pageant contestant charged with murder after baby dies in hospital

A Georgia beauty pageant contestant has been arrested following the death of an 18-month-old boy.

Trinity Poague, 18, was arrested on Friday on charges of felony murder, aggravated battery, and first-degree cruelty to children, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

The GBI said that on 14 January, it was asked to investigate the death of a child by the Georgia Southwestern State University Police Department.

During the investigation, an unresponsive 18-month-old boy was found and taken to the emergency room in Americus, Georgia, but the child later died.

Ms Poague was arrested after multiple interviews and the examination of evidence, and she is currently booked into the Sumter County Jail with no bond.

The child had a fundraising page set up by Cecilia Smith, an apparent close friend of the boy’s father, according to Fox News.

"We are all very hurt and confused, just really in disbelief," Ms Smith told the outlet, saying that the father is “trying to manage as best as possible, but it is obviously very hard on him. He doesn’t want to speak to anyone about anything right now."

Investigators have not indicated Ms Poague’s relationship with the child.

Poague is the reigning Miss Donalsonville, who was also a contestant in the National Peanut Festival Pageant. She is also reported to be enrolled at Georgia Southwestern State University.

The GBI said that once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Southwestern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

The Independent has contacted the GBI and the Sumter County Coroner for comment.