Whitney Purvis, who rose to fame on the reality show 16 and Pregnant back in 2009, has been arrested for involuntary manslaughter.
Whitney, 33, was taken into custody in Georgia and is being held without bond at the Floyd County Jail near Rome, Georgia, per Deadline.
According to arrest documents, she is accused of distributing a combination of fentanyl and xylazine – known as Tranq – that led to the overdose death of an adult man named John Mark Harris in February.
She is also facing two additional charges related to distributing controlled substances.
At the scene, officers described “seeing possible drug paraphernalia,” and a warrant for Purvis’ arrest reportedly claims she supplied Harris with the fatal dose of Tranq, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
“John Mark never met a stranger and had a way of caring for those who crossed his path,” Harris’ obituary 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. John.”
Under a post honoring Harris, Purvis shared a lengthy, emotional message reflecting on their friendship, expressing regret over missing his funeral, as reported by the Daily Mail.
“John mark, I hate that I found out what happened today and missed your funeral. I wish I could've found out sooner and attended your celebration of life,” she wrote. “You've came to my rescue on many occasions and saved me over the years. We bonded over being chefs, our love of cooking and our struggles.
“I could tell you anything and you always knew what to say or give me your honest opinion and advice.”
“I don't want it to be true. I'll miss waking up to your silly messages and pictures you'd send me. I'll miss your amazing cooking. I'll miss snuggling on the couch watching TV with you.”
Purvis continued: “Most of all, I'll miss you, a truly good hearted & one of a kind man, John Mark. I'll never forget you. Rest in peace and my condolences to your family and friends. I pray they are able to find some kind of comfort during this tragic time. I love you forever, John Mark. Love, Whitney.”
Purvis’ arrest comes just weeks after she publicly mourned the death of her 16-year-old son, Weston Jr., whom she gave birth to on MTV’s 16 & Pregnant in 2009.
Whitney gave birth to Weston Jr. during Season 1 of 16 and Pregnant alongside then-boyfriend Weston Lewis Gosa Sr., and the couple later welcomed a second son, River, in 2014 before splitting.
Whitney lost custody of both sons and was arrested in 2024 for failing to make child support payments, while Weston Sr. has faced multiple legal issues himself, including arrests for driving on a suspended license.
Both parents were previously arrested in 2012 for smashing electronics.
The boy, who was living with his father at the time of his death, reportedly died of natural causes, though Whitney claimed on Facebook that Weston Jr. lacked proper medical care despite suffering from diabetes, Addison’s disease, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Weston Sr. has denied those claims.