There has been a troubling development in the case of Bella Culley, a student detained in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Culley, who is expecting a child, was taken into custody at Tbilisi International Airport earlier this year on charges of attempting to smuggle significant quantities of illegal drugs. She had flown into Georgia from Thailand.
During her time in Thailand, her family had reported her as missing after they lost contact with her for several days.
In a surprising turn, Culley’s family discovered that the 19-year-old had been arrested in Georgia, which is over 4,000 miles from her known location in Thailand.
The young woman was detained after allegedly being found with 12kg (26lbs) of marijuana and 2kg (4.4lbs) of hashish in her possession.
Culley claims she was coerced into drug trafficking through torture, with her lawyer, Mr. Malkhaz Salakaia, alleging she was threatened with a hot iron.
On Tuesday morning, October 28, it was disclosed that Culley, who is 35 weeks pregnant, will have to deliver her baby while incarcerated in Georgia.
The Sun reported that despite her family sending £140,000 ($186,000) in fines, Culley is required to remain imprisoned for another 18 months.
Reports suggest that Culley had negotiated with prosecutors to secure her release if she could raise £215,000 by October 28.
However, despite her parents, Lyanne Kennedy, 44, and Niel Culley, 49, working hard to gather the necessary funds, they were unable to meet the target.
Instead, they paid a plea bargain amount of 500,000 Georgian Lari ($186,000) resulting in Culley receiving a two-year prison sentence.
Culley is anticipated to give birth before the Christmas holiday.
At a recent hearing, Culley’s family sought clarification on the birth arrangements, with her mother Lyanne discussing her intentions to relocate to Georgia to look after the infant.
She stated: “We want to know more about house arrest – I would have to come to Georgia to help.”
Culley also inquired from her lawyer Malkhaz Salakaia: “Will I be able to take the baby with me if I go back to jail?”
His response was reassuring: “Nobody is going to take the baby away from you.”
Culley, hailing from County Durham in the UK, had aspirations of pursuing a nursing career upon returning from her travels, according to the Independent.
Her mother shared with Teesside Live that Culley traveled to the Philippines with a companion before heading to Thailand, while her friend chose to go to Ibiza.