A 20-year-old woman from Georgia is now facing a grim trial, charged with the brutal murder of an 18-month-old boy, the son of her boyfriend, in a case that has sent shockwaves through the community. The suspect, who was a sophomore at Georgia Southwestern State University at the time, stands accused of killing little Romeo Angeles in January 2024.
The Tragic Night and Contradictory Claims
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred inside her boyfriend Julian Williams's dorm room. While Williams was out picking up a pizza, the accused was alone with the child. She later texted Williams, claiming the toddler was not breathing. Williams rushed back to find his son unresponsive and frantically drove him to a hospital. Despite all efforts, doctors could not save the 18-month-old boy.
In the week following the tragic death, the young woman was formally charged with murder, aggravated battery, and cruelty to children. She has entered a plea of not guilty to all counts.
Prosecution's Case: Jealousy and Premeditation
The prosecution has painted a picture of motive rooted in jealousy and resentment. Prosecutor Lewis Lamb told the jury, as reported by CourtTV, that the accused "wanted to have a child or children with Julian Williams, but not that child." He alleged she was jealous of the attention Williams gave to his son and resisted assuming a stepmother role.
This alleged hatred was reportedly expressed in a text message to her roommate just hours before the incident, where she wrote, "I can’t stand being around JD anymore. He hates me and I hate him."
Her initial account to authorities claimed the child had been eating chips before becoming unresponsive. However, this story was starkly contradicted by medical evidence. Doctors found clear signs of blunt-force trauma to the head and torso. The emergency room physician testified that the injuries were inconsistent with her story and indicated "a direct blow."
Damning Digital Evidence and Fall from Grace
Adding to the prosecution's case are alleged internet searches made following the toddler's death. Reports, including from the New York Post, state she searched for terms like "How do you get a brain bleed?" and "How can a depressed skull fracture go unnoticed?"
The accused was not an anonymous figure; she was Miss Donalsonville 2023 and had competed in the National Peanut Festival pageant. In the wake of the charges, she has been stripped of these titles. After her arrest, she was released on a $75,000 bond, a decision that deeply angered the victim's father.
"This feels like a slap in the face to me and my family," Julian 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."
If convicted on all counts, the accused faces the severe penalties of life in prison without parole or even the death penalty. The trial continues as the court seeks to determine the full truth behind the tragic death of Romeo Angeles.
