Reality Star Taylor Frankie Paul Loses Unsupervised Visits With Son Amid Abuse Allegations

Court rules Paul must have supervised visits with 2-year-old son due to history of volatile behavior toward the boy's father

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:53pm

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Taylor Frankie Paul, a star of the reality show 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' has been ordered by a Utah court to only have supervised visits with her 2-year-old son due to a history of volatile behavior directed at the boy's father while the children were present. The court commissioner cited concerns about Paul's ability to control herself and the risk it poses to the child.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing issues of domestic violence and custody disputes involving reality TV personalities, which can have significant impacts on the children involved. It also raises questions about how networks handle talent with histories of alleged abuse and whether they have a responsibility to address such concerns before promoting individuals as stars.

The details

The court commissioner cited several incidents of alleged violence between Paul and her son's father, Dakota Mortensen, some of which were caught on video. This includes an incident in 2023 where Paul appeared to punch, kick, and throw chairs at Mortensen while their young daughter watched and cried. Paul was charged with aggravated assault and other offenses, including domestic violence in the presence of a child, for that altercation, though she later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge. The commissioner expressed concerns about Paul's 'volatility' and 'lack of self-control' based on the evidence presented.

  • In May 2025, a video showed Paul pushing Mortensen and shouting at him to get out of her house while he was holding their son.
  • In February 2023, another fight between Paul and Mortensen, known as 'the truck tussle,' is under investigation by police.

The players

Taylor Frankie Paul

A star of the reality show 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' who was also set to appear on the most recent season of 'The Bachelorette' before it was pulled.

Dakota Mortensen

The father of Paul's 2-year-old son, with whom Paul has a history of volatile behavior.

Russell Minas

The Third District Court commissioner who ruled that Paul can only have supervised visits with her son due to concerns about her ability to control herself.

Michael McDonald

The court-appointed attorney for Paul and Mortensen's son, who expressed concerns about Paul's 'volatility' and 'lack of self-control.'

Daniela Diaz

The lawyer for Mortensen, who argued that Paul uses their shared child to perpetuate a cycle of abuse.

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What they’re saying

“I have concerns going both ways”

— Russell Minas, Third District Court Commissioner

“To me, that makes me very nervous about her ability to control herself, and her volatility”

— Michael McDonald, Court-appointed attorney for Paul and Mortensen's son

“He's often invited back, and his child is often used as a pawn, as a pawn to start fights”

— Daniela Diaz, Lawyer for Mortensen

What’s next

The judge will assess dueling petitions for protective orders between Paul and Mortensen at an April 30 court hearing, which will determine the long-term custody arrangement for their son.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and often volatile dynamics involved when reality TV stars face allegations of domestic abuse, and the need for networks and the legal system to carefully address such issues to protect the wellbeing of any children involved.