Restraining Order Granted Against Reality Star Following Violent Incident Footage
Dakota Mortensen has successfully obtained a temporary restraining order against his former partner, reality television personality Taylor Frankie Paul. The order was granted by authorities in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday morning, following Mortensen's assertion to the court that Paul presented an immediate and credible threat to his physical safety.
Legal Restrictions and Upcoming Hearing
The legally binding document explicitly prohibits Paul, aged 31, from initiating any form of contact with Mortensen, who is 33 years old. This comprehensive ban extends to their two-year-old son, Ever. The restrictions will remain in effect until a scheduled court hearing on April 7, where further legal determinations will be made.
Furthermore, the restraining order outlines a specific list of forbidden activities for Paul. These include, but are not limited to, stalking, making threats, and any form of communication, including sending emails, to the Idaho-born Mortensen.
Leaked Video Reveals Violent Altercation
The legal action follows the public release of a previously unseen video from a 2023 altercation between the couple. The footage, which surfaced online on Thursday, depicts a visibly intoxicated Paul attempting to place Mortensen in a headlock before assaulting him with a metal barstool.
The distressing clip also shows the couple's eight-year-old daughter, Indy, sobbing while curled on a sofa during the incident. A corresponding police report confirmed the child, then aged five, was struck during the confrontation, resulting in a noticeable injury described as 'a goose egg on her head.'
Prior Legal Proceedings and Plea Deal
This video evidence was integral to a prior felony prosecution against Paul for aggravated assault. As a result of that case, Paul entered into a plea agreement. She received a sentence of three years' probation, which is set to conclude in August of this year.
As part of the same plea arrangement, four additional serious charges were dismissed. These dropped charges included domestic violence committed in the presence of a child, child abuse, and criminal mischief.
Professional Repercussions and Show Cancellations
The publication of the video, first reported by TMZ, has triggered significant professional consequences for Paul. In a swift decision, Disney executives cancelled her upcoming season of the television show The Bachelorette merely three days before its scheduled premiere.
A corporate statement attributed the cancellation directly to the emergence of the video, emphasizing a focus on 'supporting the family.' This abrupt cancellation is estimated to have incurred potential losses of up to $28 million for the network ABC, considering production costs of approximately $2 million per episode.
Additionally, filming for Paul's other television project, the fifth series of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has been suspended. Reports indicate that fellow cast members expressed discomfort to Hulu executives about continuing to work alongside Paul following the video's release.
Conflicting Statements from Both Parties
In a statement released to the press after the video became public, Paul presented a counter-narrative, claiming to have been a victim of abuse at Mortensen's hands. Her statement expressed gratitude for network support while prioritizing her family's safety and alluded to suffering 'extensive mental and physical abuse' in silence.
Conversely, a representative for Mortensen told Entertainment Weekly that his primary concern is the welfare of their young son, Ever. The spokesperson stated Mortensen's desire to maintain a functional co-parenting relationship and his typical reluctance to engage publicly with the media, though the severity of the current situation may necessitate a change in that approach.
Background of the Turbulent Relationship
Paul and Mortensen have experienced an intermittent relationship since 2022. Paul initially gained public notoriety that year amidst a 'soft swinging' scandal where she admitted to infidelity against her then-husband, Tate Paul. The former couple, who share two children, subsequently divorced.
Mortensen's recent application for the protective order cites an alleged new incident that occurred in February 2026, just two days before the 2023 violent video was released to the public.
