High Point college student gives birth in dorm room, charged with hiding baby's death, police say
High Point police have filed criminal charges against the mother of the newborn baby who was found dead in a shallow grave in Iredell County last month.
Investigators said 21-year-old Olivia Billington, of Statesville, gave birth to a baby boy on Sept. 4 in her college dorm room at High Point University with 19-year-old Alex Best, also of Statesville.
Investigators said neither Billington nor Best sought medical care for the infant, leading to the baby's death
High Point police said Billington turned herself into the High Point Police Department on Oct. 1. Lt. Travis Reams said Billington and Best have been cooperative with investigators.
Best is accused of taking the baby's body from Guilford County to his home in Iredell County. Investigators said Best buried the infant in the backyard of his property. He is facing charges in both Guilford and Iredell Counties.
According to a news release, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office was alerted of a body possibly being buried behind a home on Tomlin Mill Road. The Special Victims Unit of the High Point Police Department said it was notified on Sept. 7.
Investigators said they found a shallow grave that contained the remains of a small infant. Reams said the baby was in a box, with blankets.
A public copy of an incident report obtained by WXII 12 News stated that a large plastic storage box was taken into evidence.
The baby's cause of death was determined to be inconclusive, according to an autopsy.
Both Best and Billington are charged with felony concealment of death.
High Point University confirmed Best is a student at the university.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected. While the High Point Police Department oversees the investigation, the university continues to provide health, safety and support services on campus to all students," said a university spokesperson.