Bella Culley, a 19-year-old British woman, has given birth to a baby boy, just weeks after her release from a Georgian prison where she was held on drug smuggling charges. The birth occurred on November 24, 2025, following her return to the UK on November 4.
Culley, who hails from Billingham in Teesside, shared her experience on social media, posting a TikTok video cradling her newborn, whom she affectionately referred to as her “little 5lbs baba.” In another video, she expressed her gratitude, stating, “I may have my hands full for a 19-year-old girl but I’m so thankful every day that they’re not empty.”
Culley was arrested on May 10 at Tbilisi Airport and charged with attempting to smuggle 12 kg of marijuana and 2 kg of hashish into Georgia. She faced severe penalties, including a possible 15-year prison sentence. However, following a plea deal, she was sentenced to five months and 25 days, which accounted for the time she had already served.
Challenges and Release
The circumstances surrounding Culley’s arrest were alarming. She claimed that she was coerced into trafficking drugs by a gang in Thailand, who subjected her to physical abuse and psychological manipulation. Her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, expressed disbelief at the unexpected turn of events when the court announced her daughter’s release.
Georgian prosecutors initially sought a longer sentence but opted for leniency, taking into account the time Culley had already served. Vakhtang Tsalughelashvili, the case prosecutor, confirmed that the judge had agreed to her release based on these considerations.
As part of her release, her family had to secure a substantial fine. They borrowed funds to pay £137,000 of the total £215,000 demanded by Georgian authorities. Culley’s lawyer, Malkhaz Salakaia, stated that she would be given her passport and was free to leave the country following the court’s decision.
A Grateful New Beginning
Culley’s release was reportedly influenced by a letter from the British Embassy to the president of Georgia, urging compassion due to her pregnancy. Had she remained imprisoned, she would have given birth in custody, a scenario that concerned many observers.
Upon her release, Culley displayed an emotional response, hugging her mother in joy. She remarked on the surprise of her early release, stating, “I didn’t expect this at all. This is a huge surprise.” Despite the grim conditions she faced during her incarceration, including inadequate facilities and harsh treatment, she did not express complaints about her time in prison during her initial public statements.
As Culley begins this new chapter of motherhood, she is navigating the complexities of her recent past and the responsibilities of parenthood. Her journey serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by individuals caught in the web of international drug trafficking and the impact on their families and futures.
