ARCHDALE, N.C. — A man pleaded guilty to first degree murder in the death of a four-month-old baby in Archdale in 2019.
Archdale police said Billy Ray Newsome III was sentenced to life in prison without parole for First Degree Murder and Felony Intentional Child Abuse Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury in Randolph County Superior Court Wednesday.
Officers said Newsome was the boyfriend of the mother of the child, Kendra Olivia Johnson.
Johnson was charged with felony murder and felony child abuse inflicting serious injury. Her case is still pending.
On November 9, 2019, officers got a call about a child not breathing on Lake Drive in Archdale. Emergency Services brought the 4-month-old baby to High Point Regional and then Brenner Children's Hospital.
The infant was in critical condition and later died at Brenner Children's in the early morning on November 12.
After weeks of investigation, officers found Newsome and Johnson and said they were responsible for the child's murder.
Police said deputies in Spartanburg County, South Carolina arrested Newsome in December 2019. He was staying in a hotel in Spartanburg. Deputies said Newsome tried to run away from arresting officers but was stopped.
Officers found Johnson in Lexington in December 2019. Officers with Lexington Police, Archdale Police and the Davidson County Sheriff's Office all participated in her arrest.
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