Rome, GA – Whitney Purvis, a former star of MTV’s 16 and Pregnant, was arrested on Monday, July 7, 2025, in Floyd County, Georgia, on charges of felony involuntary manslaughter related to a fatal drug overdose. The 33-year-old reality TV alum is accused of distributing a dangerous drug known as “Tranq,” a combination of fentanyl and xylazine, which led to the death of John Mark Harris on February 16, 2025.
According to police records, officers responded to a residence in Rome, approximately 65 miles northwest of Atlanta, where they found Harris deceased from a toxic overdose. Drug paraphernalia was observed at the scene, and an arrest warrant alleges that Purvis intentionally provided Harris with Tranq, a potent mixture linked to a rising number of overdose deaths. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in collaboration with local law enforcement, made the arrest, with the investigation ongoing. Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Atlanta Field Division, emphasized the lethality of fentanyl, noting that “nearly 70% of all drug-related deaths involve synthetic opioids, like fentanyl,” and that just two milligrams can be fatal.
In addition to the manslaughter charge, Purvis faces two drug-related charges: possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and using a communication device to facilitate a drug-related felony. She is currently being held without bond in the Floyd County Jail’s medical unit, and online records do not indicate whether she has legal representation.
This arrest comes just one month after the tragic death of Purvis’ 16-year-old son, Weston Gosa Jr., who passed away on June 2, 2025, from natural causes related to lifelong health issues, including Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Addison’s disease, and diabetes. Purvis, who appeared on the first season of 16 and Pregnant in 2009, shared her grief publicly on Facebook, writing, “My beautiful son, Weston has passed away. He was only 16 years old. Life is so cruel and unfair… This is really my worst nightmare come true.” She also spoke to PEOPLE, describing her inability to cope: “I can’t distract myself. It’s going through my mind constantly… I just can’t even imagine a future now.”
Purvis’ legal troubles are not new. She has faced prior arrests for shoplifting a pregnancy test, damaging electronics, and failing to pay child support, having lost custody of her two older sons, Weston Jr. and River, born in 2014. She also has a younger son, Collin Adonis, born in 2023. Her struggles have been documented since her 16 and Pregnant appearance, which chronicled her pregnancy with Weston Jr. at age 17 alongside then-partner Weston Gosa Sr.
The case has drawn significant attention, with posts on X reflecting public shock and concern over Purvis’ arrest following her son’s death. The incident underscores the broader opioid crisis, with the DEA highlighting the growing danger of fentanyl-laced drugs like Tranq. As the investigation continues, Purvis’ case serves as a stark reminder of the personal and societal toll of substance abuse. For updates, refer to ongoing coverage from sources like TMZ and the Associated Press.