At a Glance
- Robert Cosby Jr. will stay in jail without bail until his Feb. 3 sentencing after pleading guilty to eight charges.
- Mary Cosby says she talks to her son daily but refuses to visit him behind glass.
- The arrest came after he violated a restraining order at his estranged wife’s home.
- Why it matters: The case spotlights cycles of family turmoil and the limits of parental intervention.
Mary Cosby broke down during the Jan. 20 Real Housewives of Salt Lake City reunion while discussing her 23-year-old son, Robert Cosby Jr., who has been in custody since November and will remain there until his sentencing on February 3.
The Night of the Arrest
According to News Of Los Angeles‘s reporting, Robert Jr. went to Alexiana Smokoff’s family home on Nov. 9, days after they obtained a restraining order against him. “He went back anyway, thinking that she wants him to come back and save her,” Mary told host Andy Cohen. Police were called, officers tased him, and he was arrested.
The incident capped a string of run-ins with the law:
- Pleaded guilty to eight charges including assault, criminal trespass, violation of a protective order, and violation of a jail-release court order
- Pleaded guilty to DUI in 2022
- Divorce filing by Alexiana came one day before his November guilty plea
A Mother’s Choice: Calls, Not Visits
Mary admitted she has not visited the detention facility. “I can’t go to the jail, Andy, that’s a little weird,” she said. “I don’t want to look at my child behind the glass.”
Instead, she relies on daily phone calls to deliver what she calls sermons: “You’re going through this, but you have to realize that God is allowing it … you’ve got to change.” Robert Sr., the teen’s father, also avoids the facility but is mailing books at his son’s request.
Key statistics:
| Charge Category | Count | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Assault | 1 | Guilty plea entered |
| Criminal trespass | 1 | Guilty plea entered |
| Protective-order violations | 2 | Guilty plea entered |
| Other jail-release breaches | 4 | Guilty plea entered |
Reflections on Pain and Purpose
Mary expressed relief that her son is sober while incarcerated, noting his documented struggles with mental-health and substance-abuse issues. “I’d rather him be there than dead,” she said, framing the sentence as a potential turning point-mirroring her own experience of being kicked out at 18, which she credits with forcing personal growth.
She remains hopeful: “I hope this all is for his good. I feel like it’s designed [to be].”
Upcoming Milestones
- Sentencing date: Feb. 3
- Reunion part 3: Airs Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo
Viewers will likely hear more fallout then, but for now Mary says her focus is on daily calls and steady encouragement rather than courtroom appearances or jail visits.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Jr. will learn his punishment next month after admitting to multiple violations.
- Mary balances tough love with daily contact, believing jail time may save his life.
- The family drama, unfolding publicly, underscores how reality-TV storylines often collide with real-world consequences.
