Whitney Purvis Arrested For Involuntary Manslaughter Tied To Fatal Overdose

In a surprising sequel, 16 and Pregnant alum Whitney Purvis is in the news yet again, and this time, it's not for reality TV. The one-time MTV cast member was taken into custody on July 7 in Floyd County, Georgia, on some severe charges, including involuntary manslaughter relating to a troubling incident that had allegedly been reported as occurring all the way back on February 16.

Now, Purvis, who once chronicled her unwanted teenage pregnancy on television for millions of viewers, is at the center of a criminal case that involves allegations of drug distribution and a staggering loss of life, according to arrest documents. According to law enforcement, Purvis is alleged to have distributed a deadly combination of drugs, known on the street as "Tranq," containing Xylazine and fentanyl. As the affidavit states, the potent mix was ultimately responsible for the victim's overdose and death.

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The charges are severe. Purvis has been charged with one count of aggravated involuntary manslaughter, which indicates no intention to kill, but it alleges her conduct was a direct contributing cause to the death. She's also charged with a felony count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count for the use of a communication device to commit a drug-related felony. Though the legal process is only in its initial stages, this situation is indicative of just how dangerous, even deadly, misuse of this type of substance can be.

It also underscores the fatal effects that street drugs laced with synthetic compounds like Xylazine, a veterinary sedative that is not approved for human consumption, and Fentanyl, an opioid that has led to a dramatic increase in overdose deaths across the country, are having. A young mother trying to figure out teen pregnancy in front of the fast flash of cameras, Whitney Purvis, is now facing a new kind of reality. With the legal drama playing out, it has many thinking about the grim collateral damage of addiction, distribution, and the lives forever altered over an irreversible decision. The case is ongoing, so more information will likely surface in the next few weeks.