'16 And Pregnant' Whitney Purvis Is Now 33: What Happened After She Lost Custody Of Her Son Weston?

Whitney Purvis, known from MTV's 16 and Pregnant, is back in the headlines at age 33 following serious legal charges in Georgia. With renewed public interest in her life, many are asking what happened after she lost custody of her son Weston and how her journey led from reality television to a series of personal and legal crises.

Life After Teen Motherhood and MTV Fame

Whitney appeared on the debut season of 16 and Pregnant in 2009, where cameras followed her experience as a 17-year-old preparing to give birth to her son, Weston. The show highlighted financial difficulties, family tension, and her strained relationship with Weston Gosa Sr.

Unlike some castmates who maintained a media presence or built careers around their early fame, Whitney stepped away from the public eye. She occasionally shared updates on social media but lived largely out of the spotlight.

Losing Custody: A Quiet Turning Point

According to court documents, The Sun exclusively confirmed that on 30 April 2018, legal and physical custody of Whitney Purvis's two sons, Weston and River, was fully transferred to their father, Weston Gosa Sr.

Whitney was granted visitation rights every other weekend and ordered to pay £258 ($353) per month in child support. Before this, the boys had reportedly lived with their grandmother for a period.

By September 2019, Whitney had fallen behind on child support payments, owing a total of £4,143 ($5,648). Further legal trouble followed in August 2020 when Weston Sr filed a petition for a temporary protective order on behalf of himself and their children.

These developments marked a significant shift in Whitney's parental role and may explain her limited public involvement in her sons' lives in the years that followed.

Weston's Death and Family Conflict

On 2 June 2025, Whitney Purvis's 16-year-old son, Weston, died following complications related to multiple health conditions, including Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Addison's disease, and diabetes. In an emotional interview with People, Purvis described her grief, saying time has felt 'frozen' since learning the news. 'When I'm not crying, I'm just staring at the ceiling,' she told the outlet, adding, 'I can't even imagine a future now.'

In the days following Weston's passing, tensions surfaced between Purvis and her son's stepmother, Amy Gosa. Whitney claimed she was not permitted to attend the funeral, a point of dispute that played out on social media. The conflict drew renewed public attention to the family's fractured custody history and underscored the emotional toll of their long-standing separation.

Arrest and Manslaughter Charges

Whitney Purvis was arrested on 7 July 2025 in Floyd County, Georgia, and is now facing multiple felony charges, including involuntary manslaughter and the unlawful distribution of controlled substances. TMZ was the first to report the arrest. According to an affidavit obtained by People, authorities allege that Purvis supplied a substance known as 'tranq' — a mixture of fentanyl and xylazine — to 32-year-old John Mark Harris, resulting in a fatal overdose in February.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration is involved in the ongoing investigation. This marks Purvis's fourth known legal incident and the most serious to date. The victim, John Mark Harris, was remembered in his obituary as someone who 'loved fiercely' and 'had the most infectious smile,' highlighting the personal loss felt by friends and family amid the legal proceedings.

Broader Issues Under Scrutiny

The trajectory of Whitney Purvis's life raises questions about the long-term impact of reality television on young participants, particularly teenage mothers. Her situation also highlights broader social issues including child custody disputes, parental rights, and access to support for individuals navigating addiction and instability.

As legal proceedings unfold, her case continues to draw national attention. Whether viewed through the lens of celebrity, parenting, or criminal justice, it remains a story that reflects deeper systemic challenges far beyond the realm of entertainment.