Taylor Frankie Paul has broken her silence after prosecutors decided not to pursue new domestic violence charges against her following a recent investigation. The decision comes amidst ongoing legal disputes between Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, who have both filed protective orders against each other.
Prosecutors Cite Insufficient Evidence and Expired Statutes
The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday that there is not enough evidence to file criminal charges against Paul regarding domestic violence claims made by Mortensen. The allegations stemmed from incidents in 2024 and February 2026, with Mortensen being the father of Paul's two-year-old son.
In a detailed statement, the DA's office explained that some of the misdemeanor offenses under investigation occurred more than three years ago, placing them outside the legal timeframe for review. For the remaining incidents, prosecutors determined that the evidence lacked specificity regarding when and what actually happened, and there was insufficient corroboration to meet the high standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt required for criminal charges.
Paul's Emotional Reaction and Legal Ramifications
The 31-year-old star of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" shared her emotional response to the news on Instagram, posting a picture of a bouquet of flowers with the caption: "Cried when I got the call. THANK YOU to those who have stood with me."
Any new charges against Paul would have violated her probation from a separate 2023 dispute with Mortensen, which remains in effect until August. In that previous case, Paul pleaded guilty to an assault charge, which will be reduced to a misdemeanor if she successfully completes her probation without violations.
Ongoing Protective Order Battles and Supervised Visits
Paul and Mortensen have each filed protective orders against the other, with a court hearing scheduled for April 30 to examine eleven separate fights between the couple. During an April 7 hearing, which both parties attended virtually with cameras turned off, a judge temporarily granted Mortensen's protective order against Paul.
As a result, the judge ordered that Paul can only have supervised visits with her son. Paul's lawyer, Eric Swinyard, argued at the hearing that Mortensen initiated their most recent altercation in February, which he referred to as "the truck tussle." While Mortensen claimed Paul threw a drink at him during an argument in his truck, Swinyard alleged that Mortensen slammed Paul's head into the dashboard and punched her in the leg.
Impact on Television Careers and Production
The ongoing domestic violence investigation has significantly impacted both Paul's and Mortensen's television careers. Season five of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," the Hulu reality show that made Paul famous, paused production last month amid the police investigation.
Paul's scheduled season of "The Bachelorette" was canceled days before its premiere due to leaked footage from the 2023 incident between her and Mortensen. Additionally, Mortensen has reportedly been edited out of the forthcoming season of "Vanderpump Villa" as a result of the domestic violence investigation.
The violent video from the 2023 incident shows Paul, a mother of three, appearing to punch, kick, and throw metal stools at Mortensen while her daughter watched and cried. The couple's tumultuous relationship has been heavily featured on "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" since its 2024 debut, with the series premiere showing police body camera footage of Paul's 2023 arrest.
The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or through the Refuge website. A dedicated men's advice line is available on 0808 8010 327. Those in the United States can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org.
