Taylor Frankie Paul’s lawyer claims Dakota asked for sex after alleged domestic violence incident, judge rules temporary custody

Main points

• Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen appeared in court amid a domestic violence investigation.

• The former couple have a history of related incidents, with a fight in February 2023 leading to Paul’s arrest. She pleaded guilty in August to aggravated assault following a domestic violence incident.

• After the video of the 2023 fight was leaked, Paul’s season Bachelorette It was canceled just days before it was set to premiere.

Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen appeared virtually Tuesday, April 7, for a court hearing over the custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever, in Utah overseen by Commissioner Russell Minas.

The The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives The star and her ex-boyfriend are under investigation for three alleged incidents of domestic violence. The hearing focused on parenting time for Paul and Mortensen’s son, Ever, in connection with their respective restraining order filings at an April 30 hearing. (Paul filed the TRO shortly before Tuesday’s hearing.)

Mortensen’s attorney asked for a “supervised” visit for Paul that could serve as a go-between forever through the facility. She said she felt it was “suitable for protection” as it was a domestic violence case. His attorney alleged that Paul is “out of control” and “completely reckless” in his behavior around Mortensen and Ever.

Meanwhile, Paul’s attorney asked for everything to return to the “status quo” for parenting time for Ever, established in August 2025, which was roughly 70% with Paul and 30% with Mortensen. They also urged the court to look at recent events between the former couple as opposed to past events, with Mortensen claiming that these recent events have no credibility.

During the hearing, the attorney refers to an alleged incident between Paul and Mortensen on February 22 in a truck where they met “to talk about their relationship.” According to Paul’s attorney, their versions of what happened that evening differ “significantly.” The attorney said at the hearing that Paul alleged that Mortensen “grabbed her by the head and slammed her head on the dashboard during this argument” and “struck her in the knee and elbow.”

After Mortensen brought him home at night, Paul’s attorney claimed in court that Mortensen was “hanging around” on her front door step, looking out the window and “trying to re-engage.”

“This alleged victim of domestic violence asks him … ‘Do you want to f—?’ ” Paul’s lawyer claimed Mortensen.

Paul’s lawyer argued that it was not a risk to the children, while Commissioner Minas (the Guardian ad litem) brought up the May 2025 incident when Mortensen grabbed the child during a fight. Paul’s attorney argued in court that Mortensen was using Ever “as a human shield” and claimed that he was stimulating her, saying that as long as they stayed away, the children would not be vulnerable.

Based on the evidence presented to the court, the judge recommended eight hours a week of supervised parenting time for Paul for the next 23 days. They are next scheduled to appear in court on April 30 for a full hearing on the merits of the protective order.

Paul and Mortensen have a history of domestic violence allegations. In February 2023, Paul and Mortensen got into an argument and Paul started throwing metal stools at Mortensen with Paul’s daughter in the room. Paul was initially charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child, but those charges were dismissed.

She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after a domestic violence incident and is on probation until August. Ever since his arrest, Paul has opened up about the incident.

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As recently as February, Paul and Mortensen were allegedly involved in two domestic violence incidents (including one detailed in court Tuesday). According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Mortensen alleges that Paul choked her during the Feb. 23 incident and she had to use her hands to get him off her. On February 24, Paul allegedly assaulted Mortensen in a car.

“I was unable to safely evacuate while this was happening, and due to our custody agreement my child was left indoors during the chaos under her supervision,” Mortensen said in the document. He also claimed that in self-defense he “pushed her away [him]which she contacted the passenger seat.”

Among these researches, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Filming on its fifth season stopped in March. A source said Entertainment Weekly Cameras were not rolling when the incident occurred and Paul’s children were not present. Along with Paul’s son with Mortensen, she and ex-husband Tate Paul share a daughter and a son.

After footage of a fight between Paul and Mortensen leaked on March 19, ABC decided to pull the plug on Paul’s season. Bachelorette The day before it was set for the premiere.

“It’s sad to see the latest installment in his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor with no regard for the outcome of her child,” Paul’s rep said. Entertainment Weekly In a statement in response to the leaked video.

“Releasing an old video conveniently removed on his son’s birthday is a despicable attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is, and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation from his actions on the show and their own experiences.”

After the video came out, Mortensen also issued a statement. “As anyone who sees the video will understand, this is a deeply disturbing situation,” Mortensen said. “Unfortunately, I am used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focused on our son and his safety, and hope Taylor will do the same.”

On March 20, Mortensen was granted a temporary restraining order against Paul. She has also been granted temporary custody of her and Paul’s son, Ever.

On March 25, it was revealed that a third alleged domestic violence incident was under investigation. “The West Jordan Police Department is currently investigating an incident involving Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortenson. The allegations were reported in late February 2026, and detectives have reviewed video believed to have been recorded in early to mid-2024,” police told EW in a statement.

“Investigators are actively working to gather and verify information and are in the process of interviewing those involved. At this time, no charges have been filed, as the investigation continues.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233or go thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in over 170 languages.

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