MTV's '16 and Pregnant' star faces up to 44 years for Georgia man’s fatal overdose

MTV's '16 and Pregnant' star faces up to 44 years for Georgia man’s fatal overdose Floyd County Sheriff's Office whitney purvis SOURCE: Floyd County Sheriff's Office Advertisement Updated: 6:38 AM CST Nov 11, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Graham Cawthon Digital Media Manager MTV's '16 and Pregnant' star faces up to 44 years for Georgia man’s fatal overdose Updated: 6:38 AM CST Nov 11, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Graham Cawthon Digital Media Manager FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. — Whitney Purvis, who appeared on MTV’s “16 and Pregnant,” has entered an Alford guilty plea to charges stemming from a Georgia man’s fatal overdose, according to Floyd County court records. On Friday, Purvis entered the plea to involuntary manslaughter, sale of fentanyl and illegal use of a communication facility, WSB-TV reported. She could face up to 44 years in prison under the plea agreement. Advertisement An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors have enough evidence to likely secure a conviction. Floyd County Sheriff's Office The overdose case The charges stem from the death of John Mark Harris, who was found dead at a home in Rome on Feb. 16, 2025. Police found possible drug paraphernalia at the scene, according to reporting by The Associated Press. An arrest warrant accused Purvis of giving Harris a substance presented as “Tranq,” which authorities described as a mixture of fentanyl and xylazine. The warrant alleged that the substance contributed to his death from a toxic overdose. Purvis was arrested in July 2025 by Drug Enforcement Administration agents and local officers. She was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter and two drug-related offenses. Her time on MTV Purvis appeared on “16 and Pregnant” in 2009, which followed her and then-boyfriend Weston Lewis Gosa as they prepared to become teenage parents. Their son, Weston Owen Gosa Jr., died in June 2025 at age 16. Purvis shared the news on social media, calling his death her “worst nightmare come true.” What is cychlorphine, the opioid said to be 10 times more dangerous than fentanyl? Make WISN a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks Stacy Keach, star of stage and 'Mike Hammer' series, dies at 85 Video shows small plane clipping pickup truck while landing on busy Florida road Ole Miss student apologizes after video showing women making racist gestures sparks backlash Democrats will now control more states. Could that mean an effective end to the Electoral College?