The founder of a company known for a surprisingly popular bathroom product now faces devastating allegations. Robert “Bobby” Edwards, 50, the millionaire behind “Squatty Potty,” has been arrested and federally charged with receiving child pornography in Utah.
Authorities allege Edwards engaged in a disturbing pattern of behavior between March 2021 and November 2025, allegedly purchasing and receiving a significant amount of child sexual abuse material. A federal grand jury indicted him on February 10th, leading to his arrest two days later in Washington County, Utah.
The case began to unfold in March 2021 when an undercover FBI agent infiltrated an online meeting where participants were viewing deeply disturbing content. The agent identified one participant as Edwards, setting in motion a years-long investigation.
Investigators continued to gather evidence, and in May 2025, reportedly discovered further purchases of illicit material linked to Edwards through an online payment account. This intensified the scrutiny on the entrepreneur and his activities.
A search warrant executed at Edwards’ home on November 4, 2025, yielded chilling results. A cell phone found in his vehicle allegedly contained multiple videos and images of child sexual abuse, some downloaded just weeks before the search.
Further investigation of his residence uncovered even more disturbing images. Edwards appeared in court and pleaded not guilty, but was subsequently ordered held without bail by Judge Paul Kohler in St. George.
The story behind Squatty Potty began with a simple family solution. Edwards’ mother was advised by a doctor that elevating her knees while using the toilet could alleviate chronic constipation. This sparked an idea for a specialized footstool.
Edwards, recognizing a potential market, designed a footstool with a unique shape that could wrap around the base of a toilet. The invention gained traction after being featured on the television show “The Doctors” in 2012.
The company’s fortunes soared after a 2014 appearance on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” where Edwards secured a deal with investor Lori Greiner. Within three months of the show airing, Squatty Potty generated an impressive $12.3 million in sales.
Edwards once reflected on his success, stating, “Now everyone is like, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ I have proven a lot of people wrong, and it’s felt really good.” That sentiment now stands in stark contrast to the gravity of the current allegations.
In 2021, the company was acquired by Aterian, Inc. Following Edwards’ indictment, Aterian issued a statement emphasizing that they had no ongoing relationship with him, having completed a one-time asset purchase in 2021.
Aterian expressed deep disturbance over the allegations, stating they were “abhorrent and wholly inconsistent with our company’s values.” The company has removed all references to Edwards and his family from its website, distancing itself from the scandal.
