Mary Cosby broke into tears while addressing her son Robert Jr.'s stint in jail one month before his death at age 23. During the season 6 reunion of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, which aired in January, Cosby, 53, confirmed that her son was incarcerated after breaking a protective order filed against him by estranged wife Alexiana Arian Smokoff. (Us Weekly confirmed on Wednesday, February 25, that Robert Jr. was found dead two days prior after a possible overdose.) While the reality star cried over the idea of her son being behind bars, she told host Andy Cohen, "I'm happy. I'm in a good place." Mary - who shared her son with husband Robert Cosby Sr. - explained that her ease came because, "I know he's somewhere where he's not using." Mary Cosby's Son Robert Jr.'s Ups and Downs on 'RHOSLC' Before Death at 23 "At some point, I have to step back so that he can learn and he can make his own decision," Mary said, wiping back tears. "Unfortunately, he is learning the hard way but I'm OK with it." She confessed, "You don't want to see your kid suffer, but I know it's good and I'd rather him be there than dead." Mary explained at the time that Robert Jr. was arrested after he went over to Smokoff's house after she and her family "filed a restraining order against him." Clifton Prescod/Bravo The Bravo personality recalled, "He went back anyway thinking that she wants him to come back and save her. I don't know where he's getting that from, delusional. Every time he'd go back over there, they'd call the police and they'd arrest him." Although Mary had made peace with Robert Jr. being in jail for his actions, she told Cohen, 57, that she "can't go to jail" to visit. "I don't want to look at my child behind a glass," she said, but Mary and Robert Jr. were still in constant contact. "He calls me every day and I'm basically preaching to him." 'RHOSLC' Star Mary Cosby's Candid Quotes About Her Son's Addiction Battle Mary recalled telling Robert Jr., "You're going through this but you have to realize that God is allowing it. And if God allowed it, then it's for your good. This will help you change and you got to change." She added that "of course" it was her hope that his time in jail would "scare him straight." Robert Jr. pleaded guilty in December 2025 to trespassing and assault months after he was arrested for allegedly entering Smokoff's home and refusing to leave. Meredith Marks, Mary Cosby, Whitney Rose. Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo "The arrested person has previously been notified by both his wife and the owner of the home that he was not welcome at the residence," the 2025 police report read, referring to Robert Jr.'s wife and her father. "Both individuals showed me text message conversations which indicated he was not allowed in the home, which the arrested person had responded to in acknowledgment." While Robert Jr. was in jail, Us confirmed that Smokoff filed for divorce, and in January, a court granted her a default divorce decree. Robert Jr. was released from jail earlier this month. Who Was Robert Cosby Jr.? All About 'RHOSLC' Star Mary Cosby's Late Son Prior to Robert Jr.'s arrest, he battled substance abuse issues, which he first shared publicly during a November 2024 episode of RHOSLC. "I started doing Xanax with Acid and then Molly with Xanax. I really like Xanax so I mix it with everything. Xanax and cocaine," Robert Jr. told his mom at the time. "You know the regular 30mg Oxys? I noticed ... this was, like, a turning point for me. I was taking 10 at once and I couldn't even feel it." Robert Jr. eventually went to rehab and in September 2025 Mary exclusively told Us he was doing better. Bravo "I can honestly sit here and say he's doing very good," she shared as part of the RHOSLC cast's cover story that hit newsstands in October 2025. "He's really good, and I pray that he stays good." Five months later, Us confirmed on Wednesday that Robert Jr. died in Utah after he was found by police on Monday, February 23. His cause of death has not been confirmed. "Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord. Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God's promise and in knowing he is finally at peace," Mary and Robert Sr. told Us in a joint statement after their son's passing. "We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow." If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).