Teen Son’s DEATH and DRUG BUST—What Happened?!

Whitney Purvis, best known for her appearance on MTV’s 16 & Pregnant, was arrested July 7 in Georgia on multiple felony charges—just over a month after the sudden death of her teenage son—and now faces accusations of supplying a deadly street drug that killed a man earlier this year.

At a Glance

• Whitney Purvis arrested for involuntary manslaughter and drug distribution
• Accused of supplying “tranq” that killed 48-year-old man in February
• Arrest follows June death of her 16-year-old son, Weston Gosa Jr.
• Purvis has prior arrests for shoplifting, threats, and child support violations
• She is currently in custody; court proceedings pending

“Tranq” Charges and Tragedy Stack Up

According to authorities in Floyd County, Georgia, Purvis was charged with involuntary manslaughter, possession with intent to distribute, and use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony after allegedly supplying a mixture of fentanyl and xylazine—known as “tranq”—to 48-year-old John Mark Harris. He died of an overdose on February 16 in a Rome, Georgia residence.

The charges were confirmed in a report by The Sun, which noted that Purvis’s alleged drug handoff was part of an ongoing investigation into regional opioid fatalities. The case has drawn particular attention due to Purvis’s notoriety from MTV’s hit show, which aired her teen pregnancy in 2009.

Watch a report: 16 and Pregnant’s Whitney Purvis Arrested for Involuntary Manslaughter

A Month After Her Son’s Death

This arrest comes barely five weeks after Purvis announced the sudden death of her 16-year-old son, Weston Gosa Jr., on June 2. In a public Facebook post and follow-up tributes, she said Weston had long struggled with diabetes, Addison’s disease, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The cause of death was described as natural, though questions remain amid family tension.

In a deeply personal interview, Purvis told People Magazine that she would “always cherish their last hug,” while also alleging she was barred from attending her son’s funeral due to conflict with her ex, Weston Gosa Sr.—a claim he denies. The Daily Beast reported on the public feud, which has escalated in the wake of the teen’s death.

A Pattern of Trouble

This is Purvis’s fourth arrest since rising to fame. Past charges include shoplifting, destruction of electronics during a domestic dispute, and unpaid child support. She also allegedly made terroristic threats during a 2013 incident, though she later avoided prison time. Coverage by Decider emphasized the pattern of post-show legal and personal struggles that have plagued many 16 & Pregnant alumni.

Meanwhile, New York Post reported that Purvis publicly blamed her son’s father for not enrolling him in Georgia’s Medicaid program, which she claims could have helped prevent his death.

Purvis is currently being held without bond. Her initial court appearance has not yet been scheduled. The case remains under investigation by Georgia state officials and local law enforcement.