Whitney Purvis is a former reality television personality who gained national attention through her appearance on the debut season of MTV’s 16 & Pregnant in 2009. At just 17, she was documented navigating teenage motherhood with her son Weston Gosa Jr. Her episode struck a chord with viewers and helped propel the success of the broader MTV series.
However, in recent years, Whitney has made headlines for far more serious reasons. In July 2025, she was arrested in Floyd County, Georgia, facing multiple criminal charges—most notably, felony involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors allege that she supplied a fatal mixture of fentanyl and xylazine, commonly known as “tranq,” to 37-year-old John Mark Harris, who died from an overdose earlier that year.
Beyond manslaughter, Purvis is accused of drug possession with intent to distribute and using a communication device to conduct drug-related activities. The involvement of the DEA in the investigation indicates this may be part of a broader drug trafficking probe. This legal turmoil follows a devastating personal loss: just weeks before her arrest, Whitney announced that her teenage son Weston had died at age 16. Weston reportedly lived with serious medical conditions, including Addison’s disease, diabetes, and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Whitney has publicly expressed grief and frustration, claiming she was not allowed to attend his funeral and suggesting her son received inadequate medical care.
Whitney has a long history of legal troubles, including prior arrests for shoplifting, vandalism, and making threats. In 2024, she was jailed for non-payment of child support. What began as a compelling story of young motherhood has evolved into a complex and troubling narrative of personal loss and criminal accountability.
Age, Nationality, and Basic Details
Whitney Blake Purvis was born on April 2, 1992, making her 33 years old as of July 2025. She is a U.S. citizen and has spent most of her life in Georgia, where she continues to reside. Her Southern upbringing shaped both her early television exposure and the legal developments that have since followed.
Early Life and Family Background
Whitney was raised in Georgia in a working-class family as the younger of two children. She grew up in a household that faced consistent financial challenges, witnessing her parents’ efforts to make ends meet. While records of her education are limited, she is believed to have completed high school. No public evidence exists of college attendance. These early struggles helped forge her strong sense of self-reliance, which would later define both her reality TV presence and her adult life.
Entrance to Television: 16 & Pregnant and Reality Fame
Whitney entered the public spotlight in 2008 when she was cast in MTV’s 16 & Pregnant. Her episode depicted the realities of becoming a teen parent, including issues with family dynamics, financial stress, and personal growth. The emotional honesty in her story made her one of the standout figures from the show’s first season. Although she did not go on to appear in Teen Mom, her one-time appearance left a lasting impression.
After the show, Whitney retreated from the mainstream media but occasionally resurfaced—often connected to legal issues or controversial incidents.
Motherhood: Sons Weston and River
Weston Gosa Jr.
Whitney’s first son, Weston Owen Gosa Jr., was born in early 2009. He featured prominently in her 16 & Pregnant episode and remained central to her life. Tragically, Weston struggled with significant medical conditions, including Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Addison’s disease, and Type 1 diabetes. He passed away on June 2, 2025, at the age of 16. An autopsy is still pending to determine the precise cause of death.
River Purvis
Her second child, River, was born in 2014 to Whitney and her former partner, Weston Gosa Sr. River is on the autism spectrum. Whitney has shared that River has had difficulty processing the loss of his older brother, whom he looked up to.
The 2025 Drug Charges and Involuntary Manslaughter Case
In July 2025, authorities charged Whitney with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the overdose death of John Mark Harris. According to investigators, Whitney allegedly provided Harris with a deadly mix of fentanyl and xylazine, a veterinary-grade tranquilizer increasingly associated with fatal overdoses across the country.
The investigation concluded that the drugs that led to Harris’s death could be traced back to Whitney. The DEA’s involvement indicates that her case may be part of a larger federal crackdown on illicit drug networks involving synthetic opioids and analog substances.
Arrest and Booking
Whitney was taken into custody on July 7, 2025, and booked into Floyd County Jail. She was formally charged with:
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Felony involuntary manslaughter
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Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances
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Use of a telecommunications device in the commission of a drug offense
Authorities had been monitoring Whitney for weeks before her arrest. Law enforcement claims she used her personal cell phone and social media accounts to arrange drug deals. Upon executing a search warrant, officers reportedly uncovered drug packaging materials and paraphernalia supporting the trafficking allegations.
The arrest sent shockwaves through both fans and followers, some expressing sadness while others saw it as a long-anticipated outcome.
Trial and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
As of mid-2025, Whitney remains behind bars, awaiting trial. The prosecution, working in tandem with federal investigators, has introduced evidence including surveillance footage, text messages, and social media communications to establish her role in Harris’s death. They argue that she knowingly distributed substances with deadly consequences.
Her legal team, meanwhile, has challenged the allegations, claiming she had no knowledge of the drugs’ potency and suggesting they may have been tampered with after leaving her possession. Defense attorneys have requested that the manslaughter charge be dropped, arguing that proving direct causation in overdose cases is often problematic.
Despite the defense’s motions, a judge denied her request for bail. Her trial is anticipated to begin later in 2025.
Legal History and Previous Arrests
This is far from Whitney’s first encounter with law enforcement. Her history of legal troubles dates back over a decade. In 2012, she was charged with stealing a pregnancy test from a Georgia Walmart—a story that attracted national attention due to her TV background.
In 2013, she was arrested again for damaging property during a custody-related altercation with an ex-boyfriend. In 2024, she served time for failing to meet child support obligations. Throughout the years, she has also faced charges for vandalism and threatening behavior.
This repeated pattern of legal entanglement illustrates longstanding personal instability, exacerbated by strained relationships and public scrutiny.
Personal Life and Grief After Son’s Death
The death of her son Weston in June 2025 was a devastating personal blow. In emotional posts on social media, Whitney shared that she learned of his death after he had already been taken to a funeral home. She accused her ex-partner and his current wife of excluding her from the funeral arrangements and of failing to provide Weston with appropriate medical care during his final months.
In contrast, the Gosa family released a statement refuting the claims. They asserted that Whitney had not been actively involved in Weston’s upbringing and that all necessary medical care had been provided. The public fallout highlighted long-standing tensions between the two families and further complicated Whitney’s already difficult situation.
Current Status and What’s Next
Whitney is currently being held in pretrial detention at Floyd County Jail. If convicted on all charges, particularly the felony manslaughter count, she could be sentenced to decades in prison. Prosecutors are reportedly weighing whether additional federal charges could be filed depending on the DEA’s broader investigation findings.
Her reputation has drastically shifted. Once viewed as a relatable young mother facing adversity, Whitney is now seen by many as an emblem of personal unraveling in the face of systemic and emotional challenges. Her future is uncertain, and the outcome of her legal proceedings will likely define the next chapter of her life.
Conclusion
Whitney Purvis’s life has been a dramatic arc—from teenage fame and public empathy to criminal allegations and personal tragedy. Her story continues to unfold under the scrutiny of both the legal system and the media. While some hold out hope for redemption, others view her as a sobering example of the long-term consequences of unresolved trauma, substance abuse, and systemic failure.
FAQs About Whitney Purvis
Who is Whitney Purvis?
She is a former 16 & Pregnant cast member who gained fame in 2009 and is now facing felony criminal charges in 2025.
How old is Whitney Purvis?
She was born on April 2, 1992, making her 33 years old in 2025.
What happened to her son Weston?
Weston died on June 2, 2025, at age 16. He had several health conditions, including Addison’s disease and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
What are her current charges?
She faces involuntary manslaughter, drug distribution, and the unlawful use of a communication device for trafficking purposes.
Is she in custody?
Yes, she is being held without bond and awaits trial in Floyd County Jail.
Did she attend her son’s funeral?
No. She claims she was prevented from attending by her ex-partner and his wife.
What drugs was she allegedly distributing?
Fentanyl and xylazine, a potent and often fatal combination.
Is she married?
No, Whitney is not married as of 2025.
What is she doing now?
She is incarcerated and awaiting trial on serious felony charges.
Does she have a history of legal trouble?
Yes. Her past includes arrests for theft, vandalism, child support issues, and more.