By admin 
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — The father of 9-month-old Destiny Lyric Blackburn is speaking out for the first time since two arrests were made in the last week linked to his daughter’s death.
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Destiny, the 9-month-old daughter of Carvin Purvis and Desiree Blackburn, died on June 18, 2025.
Destiny’s grandmother, Kerry Ann Blackburn, was arrested on Aug. 14, 2026, and Desiree Blackburn was arrested a few days later, on Tuesday. They were both charged with second-degree murder.
Purvis says he and Destiny’s mother lived separately and co-parented, but he says he watched Desiree Blackburn struggle with drug addiction.
Mother, grandmother face charges
Purvis says he worried about his daughter when she was away and tried to get help.
“I did call social services and let social services know that it isn’t a type of environment for Destiny to be in,” Purvis said.
In court on Wednesday, prosecutors say the baby got into Desiree’s fentanyl and fatally overdosed. The prosecution says toxicology showed a large amount of fentanyl in the infant’s system.
However, Purvis doesn’t want Destiny’s story to be defined by the circumstances of her death.
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Purvis described his daughter Destiny Blackburn as a “breath of fresh air” and “heaven on earth.” Since Destiny passed away in June of last year, he says the past 14 months have been difficult to live through, but he is speaking out to make sure we remember who Destiny was.
“I can never get used to the fact that my daughter isn’t here anymore,” Purvis said.
Remembering Destiny
More than a year after Destiny’s death, Purvis says the grief is still present.
“I’m still in the grief process. It hurts. I am hurting right now,” Purvis said.
He remembers Destiny as a smart, alert little girl, with a love of music.
“She used to love humming. She really got that from her father because I used to sing to her all the time, even when she was in her stomach,” Purvis said.
Despite everything that happened, Purvis says Destiny and her mother shared a connection like no other.
“When Destiny used to look at her, it was nothing but like bliss, and when Desiree used to look at her … kind of like a lioness with her cub, I can honestly say I loved their bond,” Purvis said.
Now, Purvis hopes that Destiny can live on through his stories.
“She showed me what real love was, like unconditional love. … My baby is in a better place spiritually, and it will forever be long live Destiny,” Purvis said.
Purvis says he says been going to grief therapy and counseling and is working on forgiveness.
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