NEED TO KNOW
- Whitney Purvis welcomed three children, including two with her ex, Weston Gosa Sr.
- Her eldest son, Weston Jr., was born in 2009 while she was filming an episode of 16 and Pregnant
- Weston Jr. died on June 2 at 16 years old
Whitney Purvis is a boy mom.
“The most important mark I will ever leave on this world will always be you, River & Weston,” the former 16 and Pregnant star wrote in a 2022 Instagram tribute to her two older sons.
Purvis gave birth to her first child, Weston Owen Gosa Jr., in April 2009 during the MTV show’s debut season. Though she didn’t appear in any of the network’s spinoffs, her personal life remained in the spotlight as she welcomed two more sons — River Blake Gosa in 2014 and Collin Adonis in 2023 — amid an on-again, off-again relationship with Weston Gosa Sr.
The couple split for good after River’s birth, and Purvis hasn’t revealed the identity of Collin’s father.
On June 2, Purvis announced that Weston Jr. had died at 16 years old. In a Facebook post two weeks later, she claimed her ex prevented her from attending the funeral. Weston Sr. told TMZ that she arrived late.
“I will always cherish our memories together,” she later wrote on Instagram, noting moments like his laugh, his jokes and the last hug they shared. “I love you, Weston more than words could ever describe. Rest in peace, my beautiful boy.”
Just one month later, Purvis was arrested on a charge of felony involuntary manslaughter after allegedly distributing a lethal substance containing xylazine and fentanyl to a man who fatally overdosed.
Purvis did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Here’s everything to know about Whitney Purvis’ kids: Weston Owen Gosa, River Blake Gosa and Collin Adonis.
Weston Jr. was born during season 1 of 16 and Pregnant
Purvis welcomed her first child, Weston Jr., with her ex, Weston Sr., on April 2, 2009, while filming season 1 of 16 and Pregnant. The reality TV stars broke up after Weston Jr. was born.
Though they briefly got back together and welcomed their second child, River, they split for good after he was born. Weston Sr. has had custody of both of their children.
Collin was born nearly a decade after River
In May 2023, Purvis announced on Instagram that she had welcomed her third child, Collin Adonis. His birth came nearly 10 years after she and Weston Sr. welcomed River in 2014.
A month before Collin’s birth, the mom of three shared a sweet throwback photo reminiscing on River’s early childhood. “this popped up in my memories today..,” she captioned two photos of her son as an infant, “that handsome River baby 8 years ago 💙.”
Collin was named after a Greek god
In February 2024, Purvis gave her Instagram followers insight into the meaning behind her third-born’s middle name. She wrote in a caption alongside a photo of the toddler that he was named after Adonis, the “Greek god of beauty and rebirth.”
“In the Bible, Adonis means God’s blessing,” Purvis continued. “My pregnancy & his arrival pushed me into a big transition in my life which truly saved me. I like to think everything happens for a reason.”
The reality star added that her family “isn’t crazy about his middle name” and that he goes by Collin.
Weston Jr. died in June 2025
Purvis announced in a Facebook post on June 2 that her eldest son had passed away at age 16, calling his death her “worst nightmare come true.”
“My beautiful son, Weston has passed away,” she wrote. “He was only 16 years old. Life is so cruel and unfair. I just dont understand … I love you so much, Weston Owen Gosa. 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.”
Weston’s stepmother later shared in a since-deleted Facebook post that he was found unresponsive around 7 a.m. The family and paramedics attempted CPR, and the teen was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Purvis told PEOPLE in June 2025 that Weston suffered from multiple medical conditions, including alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Addison’s disease and diabetes. The family ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Whitney said Weston Jr. was “a perfect kid”
In a June 2025 interview following her son’s death, Purvis told PEOPLE that her son was an “old soul” who “always made a friend wherever he went.”
“He was a really kind boy,” she said. “He was a really good boy, and he was so funny and handsome. He was such a good person.”
The 16 and Pregnant star also shared that River has autism and doesn’t “quite understand what’s happening” since his brother died.
“He was just a perfect kid,” she added. “You just didn’t have any trouble out of him at all. He was smart, and he was super bashful, and a great big brother.”
Read the full article here
