A woman who gained attention from MTV’s “16 and Pregnant” was arrested on Monday in Georgia on charges including involuntary manslaughter tied to a man’s death caused by fentanyl poisoning earlier in the year.
Whitney Purvis, 33, is currently held without bail at the Floyd County Jail in Rome, Georgia, which is located approximately 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of Atlanta, as per online jail records. The records do not specify if she has legal representation to address the charges.
The arrest is tied to the February death of a man named John Mark Harris.
“John Mark was known for his approachability and his genuine care for those he encountered. He was the type to help with whatever was needed, like tending to injuries, offering rides to the airport, or providing a place to stay, he was always ready to assist,” states Harris’ obituary. “His love ran deep, and he was willing to go above and beyond for his friends.”
An arrest warrant accuses Purvis of giving Harris a combination of xylazine and fentanyl known as “Tranq” that led to an overdose, according to TMZ.
Purvis was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration and local officers, according to a statement from the federal agency. The investigation is ongoing, the DEA said.
“DEA reminds the public that nearly 70% of all drug-related deaths involve synthetic opioids, like fentanyl,” said Jae Chung, DEA acting special agent in charge of the Atlanta office. “Two milligrams of fentanyl is a potentially deadly dose.”
The arrest comes a month after Purvis, who appeared on the reality show “16 and Pregnant” in 2009, lost her eldest son Weston Jr. on June 2 when he died of natural causes, according to Deadline.
In a Facebook post, Purvis said Weston Jr. suffered from diabetes, Addison’s disease and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and alleged that he wasn’t receiving proper medical care. Before his death, the teen had been living with his father, who has reportedly denied Purvis’ claims.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
