Additional Coverage:
- ‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other (apnews.com)
Custody Battle Looms as Reality TV Star and Ex-Partner Seek Long-Term Protective Orders in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY – Taylor Frankie Paul, known for her role on the reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and her former partner, Dakota Mortensen, are set to present competing petitions for protective orders in a Utah court this Thursday. The case carries significant weight as it may determine custody arrangements for their 2-year-old son.
Both Paul and Mortensen have requested that temporary protective orders issued against each other be extended into long-term measures, citing mutual allegations of domestic violence. During a hearing on April 7, Third District Court Commissioner Russell Minas expressed concerns about claims from both parties. Currently, Paul is prohibited from spending unsupervised time with her son due to previous volatile behavior observed in Mortensen’s presence when children were nearby.
The couple’s tumultuous relationship has been documented extensively on their reality show. Until Thursday’s hearing, the court has mandated that Paul and Mortensen maintain a distance of at least 100 feet from one another. Both are expected to attend the upcoming hearing in person, having participated virtually in prior proceedings.
The ongoing legal battle follows public attention drawn by a leaked 2023 video showing a violent incident involving Paul and Mortensen. The footage, which revealed Paul striking Mortensen while their daughter watched and cried, led to criminal charges against Paul, including aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child. Paul subsequently pleaded guilty to an assault charge, which is set to be reduced from felony to misdemeanor status provided she completes a probationary period without further legal issues.
In response to the video, ABC took the unusual step of shelving a completed season of The Bachelorette featuring Paul. Similarly, Hulu paused production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives before resuming filming last week.
Despite multiple incidents under review, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office recently declined to press new charges against Paul related to subsequent altercations with Mortensen, a decision that may influence custody considerations.
Under Utah law, protective orders can restrict or eliminate a parent’s visitation rights, with courts often awarding custody to the parent protected by such an order. When both parties hold protective orders against one another, the court places significant emphasis on the findings of a court-appointed attorney tasked with evaluating the child’s best interests.
At Thursday’s hearing, Ever, the couple’s young son, will have legal representation to advocate for his welfare. His attorney, Michael McDonald, voiced concerns about the parents’ history of conflict in Ever’s presence during the earlier hearing.
Paul’s attorney, Eric Swinyard, has maintained that Mortensen is the primary aggressor in the relationship, presenting photos of Paul’s injuries from a disputed incident in which she alleges Mortensen slammed her head into a truck dashboard. Conversely, Mortensen’s lawyer, Daniela Diaz, detailed other confrontations and accused Paul of manipulating their son to instigate conflicts.
As the court weighs these competing narratives, the upcoming hearing will be pivotal in establishing the safest environment for Ever’s upbringing.
Note: This story involves sensitive topics related to domestic violence. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.