A young woman named Bella May Culley, who was pregnant and caught smuggling drugs in Georgia, has been unexpectedly released from prison. Bella, a 19-year-old student nurse from Teeside, was apprehended in Tbilisi with a significant amount of cannabis and hashish in her possession. Despite admitting guilt, she claimed that she was coerced by criminals in Thailand to transport the drugs.
Prosecutors made a decision to modify a prior plea agreement, which initially would have resulted in a two-year sentence for Bella. Her release came just in time as she is expected to give birth in December. Bella was seen exiting a court in Georgia with her visible baby bump, accompanied by her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, who had previously raised concerns about Bella’s incarceration in Rustavi Prison Number Five.
In efforts to reduce Bella’s sentence, her family paid a substantial amount as part of a plea deal. Originally facing a potential 20-year imprisonment, negotiations led to a reduced term of five months and 25 days, aligning with the time she had already spent in custody. Overwhelmed with emotions, Bella expressed her joy to her father over the phone upon learning about her release.
There are lingering questions about the father of Bella’s child, with hints suggesting a possible connection to a man named “Russ or Ross” she met in the Philippines. Bella’s social media activity hinted at a romantic involvement, alluding to partnership in criminal activities akin to Bonnie and Clyde. Despite family claims of her having a boyfriend in the UK, the pregnancy announcement came as a surprise, raising speculations about the circumstances leading to her current situation.
Following a harrowing experience in prison, Bella was transferred to a specialized unit for mothers and babies. Her mother reported improved conditions in this new setting, highlighting better amenities and the ability to engage in communal activities like cooking. Bella’s journey towards motherhood continues as she adjusts to life post-release, while family members reflect on the challenges she faced during her travels and subsequent incarceration.