Taylor Frankie Paul, the influencer and reality star known for her role in “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” is seeking legal protection from her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, alleging a harrowing pattern of physical and emotional abuse. In a declaration filed in a Utah court, Paul detailed a series of volatile encounters that she claims have left her fearing for her safety.
The legal filing comes amidst a public and professional collapse for Paul. The domestic turmoil has not only led to a custody battle over their shared child but has likewise resulted in the cancellation of her upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” and a filming hiatus for her Hulu series. Paul describes the relationship as a cycle of “love bombing” and public humiliation, asserting that she now requires a protective order to stop the abuse.
“I am not perfect. I have owned my mistakes, but Dakota is an abusive individual who refuses to accept accountability,” Paul wrote in the declaration. “I desperately necessitate protection from Dakota or else his abuse, both physical and emotional, will continue.”
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Detailed Allegations of a ‘Pattern of Abusive Conduct’
The declaration outlines a timeline of escalating tension that Paul says intensified after she was cast as “The Bachelorette.” According to the filing, Mortensen became “increasingly possessive,” sending unsolicited messages of love. This behavior took a surreal turn on Feb. 17, 2026, when Mortensen allegedly texted Paul a photograph of her initials—”TFP”—tattooed inside his lip.
Paul characterized the tattoo as “extremely alarming,” given that the two were no longer in a relationship. She wrote that her initials were now permanently marked on the body of a man she describes as abusive and possessive.
The situation reportedly turned physical during a series of encounters in late February. Paul alleges that on Feb. 22, Mortensen refused to leave her home and used 911 calls to intimidate her by threatening to craft false allegations. She noted the power imbalance between them, stating that Mortensen weighs approximately 200 pounds even as she weighs 95.
The most severe allegation occurred on Feb. 23, 2026. Paul claims that while she was in Mortensen’s truck, he “grabbed my head and slammed it against the dashboard,” resulting in a bruise. She further alleges that Mortensen returned to her home shortly after the incident, lingering outside her window and demanding sex before calling the police only after those demands were denied.
Professional Fallout and Career Cancellations
The volatility of the relationship has reverberated through Paul’s professional life. The “MomTok” leader has seen her career trajectory stall as legal allegations mounted. Following reports of the February incidents, the cast of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” unanimously decided to pause filming for season five until a legal resolution is reached.
The fallout extended to ABC, which pulled Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette,” originally scheduled to premiere on March 22. This decision followed the release of a 2023 video showing Paul appearing to attack Mortensen—a video Paul alleges was leaked to TMZ by Mortensen himself to cause her professional ruin.
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A Complex Legal Web of Mutual Accusations
The legal landscape surrounding the pair is marked by mutual accusations of violence. Mortensen has previously accused Paul of domestic violence on multiple dates, including May 27, 2025, and throughout February 2026. He has also filed his own protective order, which initially granted him primary custody of their shared child.
Law enforcement agencies in Utah are currently navigating these conflicting claims. Police in West Jordan are reviewing an open investigation into a 2024 incident reported by Mortensen. Meanwhile, in the Feb. 22-23 case, Draper police have reportedly decided not to file charges against either party.
| Incident Date | Allegation/Action | Current Legal Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Paul attacks Mortensen (Video) | Paul pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault |
| May 27, 2025 | Alleged violence by Paul | Reported by Mortensen; under review |
| Feb 17, 2026 | Lip tattoo/Possessive behavior | Detailed in Paul’s protective order filing |
| Feb 22-23, 2026 | Mutual assault allegations | Draper police declined to file charges |
At a recent hearing, Commissioner Russell Minas ordered that Paul’s parental visits be supervised. This restriction remains in place as the court continues to evaluate the claims of both parties.
Note: This article reports on ongoing legal proceedings. All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. For those experiencing domestic violence, resources are available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
The next critical checkpoint in this legal battle is scheduled for April 30, when Paul and Mortensen are set to meet again in court to determine the long-term status of the protective orders and parental visitation.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on this developing story in the comments below.
