‘16 and Pregnant’ alum Whitney Purvis pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter

Whitney Purvis pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the 2025 death of John M. Harris.

The “16 and Pregnant” alum, 39, also entered a guilty plea for illegal use of a communication facility and the sale of a controlled substance (fentanyl) on Nov. 6, per court documents reviewed by People.

Purvis entered an Alford plea for three of her seven charges, which allows a defendant to plead guilty and accept a plea bargain even if they claim they are innocent, per LawInfo.

Court records show the former reality star also entered a waiver of the right to withdraw the guilty plea.

Whitney Purvis (seen above in a mugshot) faces up to 44 years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in a fatal fentanyl overdose. Floyd County Sheriff’s Office
Purvis (seen above in a March 2025 selfie) also pleaded guilty to illegal use of a communication facility and the sale of a controlled substance (fentanyl). nurvispurvis/Instagram

Purvis could face up to 44 years in prison.

In 2025, Purvis delivered a mixture of fentanyl and xylazine — also known as “Tranq” — to Harris, 37, at his Rome, Georgia, home.

Harris subsequently died from a toxic overdose on February 17, 2025.

Following a joint investigation, Purvis was arrested that July in Floyd County, Georgia, on felony charges of involuntary manslaughter, distribution of a controlled substance, and using a communication device to commit a felony.

John M. Harris (seen above) died at age 37 from a toxic overdose of fentanyl and xylazine that Purvis delivered to him in February 2025. Henderson & Sons Funeral Home
Purvis (seen above in a selfie) was arrested in connection with Harris’ death last July. nurvispurvis/Instagram

The former MTV star was initially denied bond and placed on suicide watch during detox. She was later granted a $15,000 bond.

Days after Purvis was released from jail, she was arrested again on two felony counts of possessing a Schedule I controlled substance and a probation violation.

Prosecutors upgraded Purvis’ charges to a seven-count indictment that included aggravated involuntary murder.

In February, she initially pleaded not guilty to all seven counts.

Purvis (seen above with her ex Weston Lewis Gosa Sr.) starred on the first season of MTV’s reality series “16 and Pregnant” in 2009. MTV
Last summer, Purvis revealed her 16-year-old son, Weston Jr. (seen above with his mom at a restaurant), had died. nurvispurvis/Instagram

Purvis is best known for her appearance on the first season of MTV’s reality series “16 and Pregnant” in 2009.

Last year, she revealed her 16-year-old son, Weston, had died due to natural causes.

Purvis said her child’s father blocked her from attending Weston’s funeral.

If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

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