Mary Cosby said her son, Robert Cosby Jr., is "doing the best he can" when asked about his status days after his most recent arrest, describing recovery as "his journey" that may "get worse before it gets better." Cosby made the remarks during a visit to Decider's studio earlier this week, before details of the arrest were publicly reported.
Per a police report obtained by TMZ, Robert Cosby Jr. was arrested on Sept. 6 on charges that included failure to stop at the command of law enforcement, criminal trespassing, assault and three alleged violations of a court order. The report says police responded to a domestic violence call after an alleged attempt to enter a father-in-law's home through a dog door and an alleged assault on a person on the front lawn. Officers reportedly said he did not immediately comply with commands to get on the ground; the report states he later complied and was taken into custody. Bail was set at $5,000.
Cosby, a cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, said she cannot force her son to choose sobriety. "It's his journey. I can't make his mind up for him," she said. "I can't walk him through it. He has to do it himself. That's why I say he's doing the best he can. He's trying, and that's all I can ask for him."
She added that she believes commitment is central to recovery: "I feel like it gets worse before it gets better. It's his journey, and I think he's doing excellent for his journey. [There are] hurdles that he has to still climb and [it's] just making up your mind. Just having a made-up mind. I feel like that is the sole purpose. If your mind is made up, there's nothing you can't do."
Cosby also acknowledged mixed signals from her son. "He says, 'Mom, my mind's made up.' And I'm like, 'Well, it doesn't look like it.' I have to see it, too. Not just hear it. So we're kind of in that phase. But he's doing good, I can't complain," she said.
Robert Cosby Jr.'s legal troubles are not new. He pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in 2022 and entered a rehabilitation program in 2024 after testing positive for cocaine, fentanyl and THC, authorities and previous reporting show. In an episode of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, he discussed struggles with substance use and suicidal ideation in a candid conversation with his mother.
Cosby's public comments come amid ongoing scrutiny of how families and communities respond to substance use and mental health crises. The star urged patience and noted that she is watching for concrete steps toward recovery rather than relying solely on assurances.
If someone is struggling with substance use, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-4357. Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts can contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.