Lyanne Kennedy, the mother of Bella Culley, a pregnant woman who was detained for drug smuggling, expressed relief at being reunited with her daughter in the UK after she was released from prison in Georgia. Bella, 19, was caught attempting to transport a significant amount of marijuana and hashish into the country, leading to her arrest.
Thanks to a plea agreement in Tbilisi, Bella was allowed to return to the UK, where she is expected to give birth soon. She had been transferred to a specialized prison unit for expectant mothers in Georgia, where her well-being reportedly improved.
Lyanne, eager to be present for the birth of her first grandchild, was overjoyed at Bella’s release. She even suggested naming the baby after Bella’s lawyer as a gesture of gratitude. Bella, who had no history of drug use according to neighbors, found herself entangled in the drug trade while traveling in Thailand.
Bella’s family managed to secure her release by paying a substantial sum to the court. Prosecutors, considering her pregnancy and circumstances, decided to grant her freedom. Bella had pleaded guilty to smuggling drugs into Georgia, claiming she was coerced by criminals who subjected her to torture.
Initially reported missing during her travels in Thailand, Bella’s ordeal included being held in harsh conditions in a Georgian prison before being moved to a mother and baby unit. Despite facing a two-year sentence, a last-minute decision from the prosecution led to her release due to her cooperation and behavior.
Bella’s lineage includes her great-grandfather, former Labour MP Frank Cook. Before her troubles, she lived with her family, who were unavailable for comment when contacted by the media.
