'16 & Pregnant’ star Whitney Purvis arrested for involuntary manslaughter as police release shocking details
Whitney Purvis, who appeared in the inaugural season of MTV’s 16 and Pregnant, has been arrested on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fatal overdose a month after her 16-year-old son died of natural causes.
In arrest records obtained by Today.com, 33-year-old Purvis was taken into custody on Monday, July 7. She is currently being held at Georgia's Floyd County Jail without bond.
The reality TV star, who appeared on an episode of 16 and Pregnant’s debut season in 2009, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter as well as the manufacture and distribution of controlled substances.
Purvis also faces a charge of using a communication device to aid a drug-related crime.
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Purvis’ arrest came after she was accused of giving a man a fatal mix of xylazine and fentanyl, known as ‘Tranq’, on February 16, 2025.
The arrest warrant affidavit claims the deadly drug cocktail ‘directly contributed to the victim’s death due to a toxic overdose’.
The affidavit added Purvis gave the drugs to the victim - an adult man who has been identified as John Mark Harris - ‘without intent to cause his death’.
FOX 5 Atlanta reported that when police responded to a call at Harris’ residence earlier this year, they discovered him unresponsive. Officers also noted signs of possible drug use at the scene.
Harris, who was later pronounced dead by responders, was described as a man who had a ‘willingness to help others’ in his obituary, The Mirror stated.
"Whether it was bandaging a wound, trips to the airport, or a place to lay their heads for a time, he was willing to lend a hand. He loved fiercely and would do anything he could for one of his friends,” the obituary continued.
The woman’s arrest comes little more than one month after the death of her son, Weston Owen Gosa Jr., whom she was pregnant with during the MTV series.
Deadline stated that Gosa died of natural causes and that he was living with his father, Weston Gosa, at the time of his death.
Following her son’s death, Purvis took to social media to mourn his death as well as announce that her grandmother, who featured on 16 and Pregnant, had also died.
“Losing both of you within 6 months of each other feels like torture,” she wrote, as per the publication.
“When my memaw passed life just felt like something is always missing. She raised me so it was like losing my mom. I eventually found peace with it in a sense that she isn’t suffering any more. When my son passed life felt like time stood still.
“I have two more sons that still need me. As much I feel life has no purpose now, I have to find the courage to get out of bed and face another day for them which is challenging.
"I hope with time it gets easier but for now I’m just existing for them and not for myself.”
UNILAD has approached the Floyd County Sheriff's Office for further comment.
Ella Scott