Judge Grants Supervised Visits for Taylor Frankie Paul with Son

Ruling cites concerns about Paul's anger issues, potential for unintentional child abuse

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:18am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a broken child's toy against a pitch-black background, the shattered fragments and dramatic shadows conveying a sense of disruption and unease without depicting any actual violence.The court's decision to restrict a parent's visitation rights underscores the complex challenges in balancing child welfare with family dynamics.Draper Today

A judge has ruled that Taylor Frankie Paul, 31, will only be granted supervised visitation rights with her 2-year-old son Ever for at least six hours per week until a protective hearing on April 30. The judge cited concerns about Paul reacting to her ex Dakota Mortensen in anger and the potential for unintentional child abuse, though the judge noted this is not a case of intentional abuse.

Why it matters

The case has gained national attention after a 2023 video surfaced showing Paul throwing chairs at Mortensen in front of their daughter, leading to the cancellation of Paul's season of The Bachelorette and a pause on filming for her reality show Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The judge's ruling underscores the ongoing legal battle between the exes and the court's focus on protecting the well-being of their young son.

The details

During the virtual hearing on April 7, the judge ruled that Paul's supervised visits with Ever should be facilitated by a neutral third party, though other options were discussed if both parties could agree on the person or people present. The judge cited concerns about Paul reacting to Mortensen in anger and not being able to stop and assess the situation when their son is present. Earlier on April 7, it was confirmed that Paul had filed a temporary protective order against Mortensen, while Mortensen had previously sought and obtained a protective order against Paul, which had temporarily restricted her parental rights.

  • On March 19, Mortensen sought and was granted a protective order against Paul, which noted 'No parent time is allowed until the scheduled hearing'.
  • On April 7, the judge ruled that Paul will be granted only supervised visits with Ever for at least six hours per week until the protective hearing on April 30.
  • The judge will reevaluate Paul's parenting time restrictions at the April 30 protective hearing.

The players

Taylor Frankie Paul

A 31-year-old reality TV star who shares three children with her ex-husband Dakota Mortensen.

Dakota Mortensen

The ex-husband of Taylor Frankie Paul, who was granted temporary custody of their 2-year-old son Ever.

Ever

The 2-year-old son of Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen.

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What they’re saying

“As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”

— Dakota Mortensen

What’s next

There will be a protective order hearing on April 30 to determine if Mortensen's temporary restraining order should be extended, where the exes will again appear remotely and counsel will appear in person.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal battles and concerns over child welfare that can arise in high-profile domestic disputes, underscoring the need for the courts to carefully balance the rights and safety of all parties involved, especially young children caught in the middle.