Taylor Frankie Paul's ex-boyfriend granted temporary protective order, child custody

Domestic violence incident involving 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' star prompts ABC to pull her 'Bachelorette' season

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:55pm

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A temporary protective order has been granted against Taylor Frankie Paul, star of the reality show 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives', after a resurfaced video showed her allegedly assaulting her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. Mortensen was also granted temporary custody of their shared child, and Paul is not being allowed any parent time or visitation until an upcoming hearing. The incident has prompted ABC to pull Paul's upcoming season of 'The Bachelorette'.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious issue of domestic violence, especially when children are involved. It also raises questions about how reality TV stars' personal lives can impact their professional opportunities, and whether networks have a responsibility to address such incidents before moving forward with programming.

The details

According to the protective order, Paul, 31, cannot have contact with Dakota Mortensen and must stay at least 100 feet away from him. The order was granted after a video surfaced showing Paul allegedly assaulting Mortensen and throwing a chair at him, with their child appearing to witness the incident. Mortensen has also filed for a cohabitant protective order, which means the court must find that he has a reasonable fear of future harm, abuse, or domestic violence at the hands of Paul.

  • On March 21, 2026, a temporary protective order was granted against Taylor Frankie Paul.
  • Mortensen was granted temporary custody of the couple's shared child, with Paul not being allowed any parent time or visitation until an April 7 hearing.
  • In February 2023, a video surfaced showing a domestic violence incident between Paul and Mortensen, with their child allegedly witnessing the incident.
  • At the end of February 2026, a new domestic violence incident between Paul and Mortensen occurred, which is currently being investigated by the Draper City Police Department.

The players

Taylor Frankie Paul

A 31-year-old reality TV star known for her role on the show 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'. She was also slated to star in an upcoming season of 'The Bachelorette', which has now been pulled by ABC.

Dakota Mortensen

The ex-boyfriend of Taylor Frankie Paul, who was granted a temporary protective order against her and temporary custody of their shared child.

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What they’re saying

“I've honestly been a little at a loss for words trying to process this all. Everything has been really heavy to see. Domestic violence and abuse of any kind is something I take very seriously. As a human, and especially a mother, I cannot support that kind of behavior”

— Miranda Hope, Co-star on 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'

“My personal history as a survivor makes it impossible for me to stay silent. I stand firmly against domestic violence in any form.”

— Layla Taylor, Co-star on 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'

What’s next

The April 7 hearing could determine whether the court grants a final protective order against Taylor Frankie Paul. Prosecutors are also evaluating whether the new domestic violence incident will impact Paul's probation from previous charges.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious consequences of domestic violence, especially when children are involved. It also underscores the need for networks and producers to carefully vet reality TV stars' personal histories before moving forward with programming, in order to avoid further traumatizing victims and their families.