16 and Pregnant’s Whitney Purvis on Suicide Watch After Arrest: Report

Jul 8, 2025 - 20:27
16 and Pregnant’s Whitney Purvis on Suicide Watch After Arrest: Report

16 and Pregnant star Whitney Purvis has reportedly been placed on suicide watch while in jail following her arrest for alleged involuntary manslaughter.

TMZ reported on Tuesday, July 8, that Purvis, 33, was “medically designated and committed within the jail system after making suicidal comments,” according to law enforcement. The outlet also reported that Purvis is undergoing a detox as she withdraws from drug usage.

News broke one day prior that Purvis was booked in a Georgia jail in connection to the overdose death of John Mark Harris. She was charged with involuntary manslaughter, distribution of a controlled substance and use of a communication device to commit a felony involving controlled substances. (Us Weekly reached out to Purvis for comment at the time.)

TMZ reported that the involuntary manslaughter charge is related to allegedly distributing the drug tranq — which is a mix of fentanyl and xylazine — ultimately leading to Harris’ death.

Whitney Purvis Manslaughter Explainer: What Happened to John Mark Harris

“Today, DEA Atlanta and local law enforcement arrested Whitney Purvis in Floyd County, GA on charges of involuntary manslaughter due to fentanyl poisoning. This investigation is ongoing,” Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Atlanta Field Division, said in a statement. “DEA reminds the public that nearly 70% of all drug-related deaths involve synthetic opioids, like fentanyl. Two milligrams of fentanyl is a potentially deadly dose.”

Purvis allegedly gave Harris the narcotics that contributed to his overdose, authorities reported. After Harris’ death, Purvis appeared to leave a lengthy tribute on his online obituary.

“John Mark, I hate that I found out what happened today and missed your funeral. I wish I could’ve found out sooner and attended your celebration of life,” Purvis wrote in March. “Thank you for being such a great friend to me and always making me feel beautiful and cared for. You’ve came to my rescue on many occasions and saved me over the years. We bonded over being chefs, our love of cooking and our struggles. I could tell you anything and you always knew what to say or give me your honest opinion and advice.”

Purvis shared that she was “thankful” for their time invested and her mind “can’t process” what occurred.

Whitney Purvis Left Tribute on Obituary of Her Alleged Manslaughter Victim

“I don’t want it to be true,” she wrote. “I’ll miss sitting outside, smoking camel crush cigs w/ you … Most of all, I’ll miss you, a truly good hearted & one of a kind man, John Mark. I’ll never forget you. Rest in peace and my condolences to your family and friends. I pray they are able to find some kind of comfort during this tragic time. I love you forever, John Mark. Love, Whitney.”

Purvis, who made her reality TV debut on 16 and Pregnant in season one, shared in June that her teenage son Weston Jr. had died unexpectedly. Purvis’ ex Weston Sr. confirmed to TMZ that their son’s cause of death was ruled as “natural causes.”

She also welcomed son River with Weston Sr. in 2014. Purvis allegedly lost custody of both of her sons. TMZ reported last year that Purvis was arrested for allegedly failing to make child support payments.

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