16 and Pregnant star Whitney Purvis narrowly escapes arrest by paying four-figure sum

16 and Pregnant star Whitney Purvis was on the verge of being taken into custody for unpaid back child support but has managed to escape arrest.

Purvis welcomed her firstborn son Weston Jr. with her then-boyfriend Weston Gosa during season one of the MTV reality show, amid an on-off relationship during which they also brought their younger son River, 11, into the world.

Weston Jr. died tragically this June aged 16, having suffered in life with health issues including diabetes, Addison’s disease and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Now it has been claimed that Purvis has allegedly been delinquent on more than $23,000 worth of back child support, prompting a judge to order her arrested unless she made a purge payment of $4,000, according to TMZ.

She was able to successfully submit the amount, so the order was rescinded by the judge and she was not taken into custody, court documents indicate.

Going forward, she will have to pay $353 in current monthly child support along with $20 monthly in arrears plus further processing fees. 

Purvis was previously arrested in July and charged with involuntary manslaughter, as well as two drug charges including possession with intent to distribute, in connection with the fatal February 17 drug overdose of her friend John Mark Harris at 37. 

Authorities said she provided him with the narcotics that led to his tragic end. 

The television personality was granted a bond of $15,000 by a Georgia court later that month, with conditions including sobriety and a curfew. 

Purvis on March 3 took to the site of the funeral home which handled arrangements for John Mark Harris, and penned a memorial in his honor. 

‘John mark, I hate that I found out what happened today and missed your funeral,’ Purvis wrote on the Henderson & Sons Funeral Home site. 

She continued: ‘I wish I could’ve found out sooner and attended your celebration of life.’

The MTV star posted the message more than three months before she was arrested Monday in Floyd County, Georgia in connection with with involuntary manslaughter and distribution of a controlled substance, among other felony counts, TMZ reported July 7.

Purvis ‘distributed a substance presented as “Tranq,” commonly known as Xylazine and Fentanyl, to the victim, which directly contributed in the victim’s death due to a toxic overdose,’ law enforcement officials said in an arrest affidavit reviewed by People. 

It’s been an awful year for Purvis, who would later pen an emotional memorial for her son Weston following his death at the age of 16 on June 2.

Purvis thanked her late confidante ‘for being such a great friend to me and always making me feel beautiful and cared for.’

Purvis said that her late friend had been a dear one, as they grew close over their passion for cooking: ‘We bonded over being chefs, our love of cooking and our struggle.’ 

Harris had been employed as a chef at Barnsley Gardens, a popular North Georgia resort. 

She praised Harris for his candor and intelligence in their interactions over the years.  

‘I could tell you anything and you always knew what to say or give me your honest opinion and advice,’ Purvis said.

The MTV alum added ‘You’ve came to my rescue on many occasions and saved me over the years. 

‘I am so very thankful for the times we had together.’

Purvis – who was also charged with use of a communication device to commit a felony involving controlled substances – said that she was dealing with serious emotional trauma over the loss of her friend.

‘My brain just can’t process this happened,’ she said. ‘I don’t want it to be true.’

Purvis listed off a number of things she associated with Harris that she would miss in the wake of his passing. 

‘I’ll miss waking up to your silly messages and pictures you’d send me,’ she said. ‘I’ll miss marshal and lunchbox. I’ll miss your amazing cooking. 

‘I’ll miss snuggling on the couch watching tv with you. I’ll miss sitting outside, smoking camel crush cigs w/ you how we talked about talked about life, gossiping and you telling me what movies/shows I need to watch next.’

Purvis characterized her late friend as ‘a truly good hearted, one of a kind man’ who she would ‘never forget.’ 

Purvis, who has more than 17,800 followers on Instagram, wrapped up in saying: ‘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.’

Following the death of her son in June, Purvis spoke on social media about how she was understandably struggling in the wake of her child’s unexpected passing.

‘This is so hard to write,’ Purvis said. ‘My beautiful son, Weston has passed away. He was only 16 years old. Life is so cruel and unfair. I just dont understand.

‘Oh my baby is gone and I don’t know what to do with myself. He was so perfect. This is really my worst nightmare come true. 

‘How do you go on in life after losing a child?’

Purvis said she was ‘in disbelief,’ thinking that ‘this cannot be happening’ and that she didn’t ‘want it to be real.’

She added of her late son: ‘I love you so much, Weston Owen Gosa. I would do anything just to hold him. Words just can’t describe the pain I am feeling.

‘God, I love you so much. You are my heart. I was so proud of the young man you were becoming. I just can’t go on without you.

Rest in Peace, my angel. You are gone too soon. April 2, 2009 – June 2, 2025.’