Squatty Potty founder accused of receiving child sexual abuse images

Robert "Bobby" Edwards, co-founder of the Squatty Potty, has been arrested and accused of receiving child sexual abuse images, the U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah announced.

Beginning in 2021, Edwards allegedly participated in an online meeting room where child sexual abuse images were traded, according to a news release.

Edwards, 50, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 10 and arrested two days later in Washington County, Utah. He is charged with receipt of child pornography and pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance. A detention hearing is scheduled for March 2.

In 2014, Edwards and his mother Judy Edwards appeared on "Shark Tank" for their Squatty Potty product, which is intended to help ease constipation while pooping. They struck a deal with Lori Greiner, and the product went on to become one of show's most successful ever.

The Edwards family sold Squatty Potty to the consumer good company Aterian in May 2021. In a statement on Squatty Potty's website, Aterian said it has no relationship with Bobby Edwards.

"We are deeply disturbed by the indictment against Edwards. The nature of these allegations is abhorrent and wholly inconsistent with our company’s values," the statement said.

USA TODAY has reached out to Edwards' attorney for comment.

Squatty Potty founder's cell phone allegedly contained child sexual abuse images

According to authorities, in March 2021, an undercover FBI agent joined an online group chat used to trade child sexual abuse images.

Edwards, a resident of Ivins, Utah, was allegedly one of the visible participants in the online meeting room where the images were being streamed, the news release said.

Officials continued their investigation through November 2025, when they executed a search warrant on Edwards' property. They seized several devices, including a cell phone from Edwards' vehicle that allegedly contained multiple child sexual abuse images, including some that had been downloaded two weeks prior.

The news release also said that FBI agents discovered in May 2025 that Edwards allegedly purchased child sexual abuse material via PayPal, which flagged four transactions on his account.

Edwards appeared on 'Shark Tank' Season 6

In 2014, three years after Edwards and his mother invented the Squatty Potty, they appeared on "Shark Tank" seeking $350,000 for a 5% stake in their company.

They struck a deal with Greiner for $350,000 and a 10% stake in the company. The product has done over $300 million in sales to date, according to Greiner's website.

The Squatty Potty is a U-shaped plastic stool designed to fit under a standard toilet. It allows the user to squat while pooping, which can help ease constipation.

According to an archived page on Squatty Potty's website, the family got the idea for the product when a therapist suggested Judy Edwards, who was experiencing constipation and hemorrhoids, try squatting while using the toilet.

Edwards, who was a designer and contractor at the time, created the step stool prototype and they eventually started marketing and selling the product online.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [email protected].