Georgia

Former ‘16 and Pregnant’ star takes plea in Georgia man’s deadly overdose

Whitney Purvis Whitney Purvis was arrested on Monday for giving “Tranq” to John Harris back in February, who then died of a “toxic overdose,” an arrest warrant showed. (PHOTO: Floyd County Sheriff's Office)

FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. — A former star of MTV’s “16 and Pregnant” has pleaded guilty to charges connected to a man’s deadly overdose.

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According to Floyd County court records, Whitney Purvis filed an Alford guilty plea Friday to charges of involuntary manslaughter, sale of fentanyl and illegal use of a communication facility.

Attorneys also filed a waiver of her right to withdraw the guilty plea.

The plea agreement says Purvis could face up to 44 years in prison, but she has not yet been sentenced.

Purvis was arrested in connection with the death of John Harris. An arrest warrant accused her of giving Harris “Tranq,” which he later died of a “toxic overdose.”

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Tranq is a mixture of xylazine and fentanyl, according to records from the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.

Purvis was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter, manufacturing, delivering, distributing, administering or selling a controlled substance, and using a communication facility in the commission of a felony involving controlled substances.

An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain their innocence while acknowledging prosecutors have enough evidence to likely secure a conviction.

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