Cliff Notes – 16 and Pregnant star Whitney Purvis arrested for involuntary manslaughter
- Whitney Purvis, known from MTV’s 16 and Pregnant, has been arrested for involuntary manslaughter related to the alleged distribution of a drug called Tranq, which combines xylazine and fentanyl.
- The arrest follows the death of 37-year-old John Mark Harris, who was found dead from an overdose in Rome, Italy, with possible drug paraphernalia at the scene.
- Purvis has a history of legal issues, including previous arrests for shoplifting and child support violations, and recently lost her son, Weston, to natural causes.
16 and Pregnant star Whitney Purvis arrested for involuntary manslaughter
Whitney Purvis of 16 and Pregnant fame has been arrested for involuntary manslaughter (Picture: MTV)
Whitney Purvis, known for appearing on 16 and Pregnant, has been arrested for involuntary manslaughter.
The TV star was on the MTV show’s first season in 2009, sharing her teen pregnancy journey.
Now aged 33, Purvis has been accused of ‘intentionally distributing’ a drug called Tranq, a combination of xylazine and fentanyl.
The alleged victim is a 37-year-old man named John Mark Harris, who was reportedly found dead from an overdose at his home in Rome, Italy, by police officers on February 17.
Upon attending the scene, cops said they saw ‘possible drug paraphernalia.’
Consequently, a warrant was issued for Purvis’s arrest, accusing her of supplying Tranq to Harris.
Purvis, 33, has been accused of ‘intentionally distributing’ Tranq (Picture: Rome Police Department)
John Mark Harris was found dead at his home in Rome in February (Picture: Henderson & Sons Funeral Home)
Now, records obtained by TMZ state that she was detained earlier today by sheriff’s deputies in Floyd County, Georgia.
As well as the involuntary manslaughter charge, Purvis was also arrested on two other drug charges, one being possession with intent to distribute.
It comes after Purvis was found to have left a comment on Harris’s online obituary, apologising for missing his funeral.
Describing the late chef as a graduate of Darlington School and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity during his time at Hampden-Sydney College, his obituary read: ‘John Mark never met a stranger and had a way of caring for those who crossed his path.
‘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.’
Purvis appeared on the MTV series in 2009 (Picture: MTV)
Weston, the son she gave birth to while on the programme, died last month (Picture: Instagram)
His loved ones also left tributes, saying he had the ‘most infectious smile’ and gave the ‘best hugs’.
In her own message, Purvis said: ‘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.
‘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 [sic]’.
Harris’s mother, Lisa Harris, has also since spoken to TMZ about her son’s death, claiming that the family never knew Purvis, failing to understand her so-called close connection to him.
‘The whole thing is so heartbreaking,’ she said.
Purvias has previously been arrested for shoplifting and for offences relating to failure to pay child support (Picture: Bartow County Sheriff’s Office)
Just one month ago, Purvis’s son, Weston, died of natural causes at age 16. He was born during his mother’s appearance on 16 and Pregnant.
Purvis wrote on social media at the time alongside a photo with her boy: ‘Rest in Peace, my baby Weston. I love you forever, precious. I’ll never understand why life has to be so cruel. You’ll always be my baby.’
While she did not go into detail about what happened, Weston’s stepmother, Amy Gosa, said in her own social media post that they tried to wake Weston at 7am that day but couldn’t, as he was ‘not breathing’.
After attempting CPR and calling for an ambulance, Weston was pronounced dead upon being taken to a local hospital.
It was noted that he suffered from ‘several health issues as well as diabetes’.
Purvis lost custody of Weston and her other son, River, after leaving 16 and Pregnant.
She has also previously been arrested for shoplifting.