‘16 and Pregnant’ star arrested in connection with fatal drug overdose in Floyd County

A former star of the popular reality show “16 and Pregnant” was arrested on an involuntary manslaughter charge in Floyd County on Monday, records show. (WANF)
Published: Jul. 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM EDT

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A former star of the popular reality show “16 and Pregnant” was arrested on an involuntary manslaughter charge in Floyd County on Monday, according to court records.

The felony charge against 33-year-old Whitney Blake Purvis comes after she allegedly gave a man a fatal mixture of xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” and fentanyl at a house in Rome on the night of Feb. 16.

The drugs “directly contributed in the victim’s death due to a toxic overdose,” according to the arrest warrant affidavit, which identifies the victim as John Mark Harris.

Purvis gave the drugs to Harris “without intent to cause” his death, the affidavit says.

Whitney Blake Purvis was arrested on a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fatal drug overdose, according to the arrest warrant.(Floyd County Sheriff's Office)

Court records show Purvis was also charged with a felony count of distribution of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of use of a communication device to commit a felony.

Purvis appeared on the first season of “16 and Pregnant” in 2009.

Her arrest comes a month after she announced the death of her 16-year-old son Weston.