Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen's Custody Battle Escalates With Protective Order Filing

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Reality TV star Taylor Frankie Paul has filed a temporary protective order against her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, alleging a 'pattern of abusive conduct and coercive control' in their relationship. This comes after Mortensen previously filed a protective order against Paul in March, gaining temporary custody of their two-year-old son. The former couple faced off in court on April 7, with the judge expressing concerns about the volatility of both parties.

Why it matters

The high-profile legal battle between the former Mormon influencers highlights the complexities of domestic violence allegations and child custody disputes, especially when both parties make claims against the other. The case raises questions about how the courts will navigate the competing narratives and determine the best interests of the child.

The details

In her protective order filing, Paul alleged that Mortensen had been violent towards her on multiple occasions, including an incident on February 23 where he allegedly drove her away from her home against her will and 'assaulted' her. Paul provided screenshots of text messages and photo proof of bruises as evidence. Mortensen's lawyer argued that he wants child visitation to be supervised, claiming Paul becomes 'completely out of control' and 'reckless' during arguments. Paul's lawyer disputed this, saying Mortensen is 'vindictive' and that both parties have made allegations against the other.

• On March 19, Mortensen filed a temporary protective order against Paul and was granted custody of their son.
• On April 7, Paul filed a temporary protective order against Mortensen, about an hour before their scheduled court hearing.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge will make a final decision on the custody arrangement and protective orders at a future hearing.