The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Dakota Mortensen is taking legal action against Taylor Frankie Paul.
A source confirmed to Us Weekly that Dakota, 33, filed for a protective order in Utah against Taylor, 31, on Thursday, March 19.
In his filing obtained by TMZ, Dakota — who shares son Ever, 2, with Taylor — detailed the incidents that he claims went down on February 23 and February 24. He called the situation “chaotic” and “frightening” and alleged that Taylor was “emotionally volatile.”
Dakota alleges in court documents that he and Taylor got into a serious disagreement, especially on February 24.
“I was unable to safely leave while this was happening, and my child had been left inside the home during the chaos under her watch due to our custody agreement,” he claimed. “[I am] genuinely concerned for my safety and the safety and well-being of my child.”
Dakota’s court filing also requested temporary custody of Ever and that Taylor doesn’t drink or use drugs during her parenting time.
Us has reached out to Dakota and Taylor’s teams for comment. A court hearing on the matter is set for April 7.
A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department previously confirmed to Us that there is an open “domestic assault investigation” involving the former couple. According to authorities, “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties on [February] 24th and 25th.”
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Dakota’s rep previously denied that the DadTok member is responsible for the alleged domestic violence dispute with Taylor.
As for Taylor, she exclusively told Us at a Bachelorette press event on Tuesday, March 17, that “there’s more to the context to everything, and it’s unfortunate.”
“It’s been hard, and it sucks to be in this position,” she continued. “And the mother that I am, that is something I will always stand my ground on. I believe that I am a good mother, and I have always treated my kids very well.”
Dakota’s court filing also comes shortly after new footage was leaked, showing the 2023 altercation between Taylor and her ex.
In the footage obtained by TMZ on Thursday, Taylor is seen throwing multiple chairs at Dakota as they yell at each other. Taylor’s daughter, Indy, now 8, whom she shares with ex-husband Tate Paul, can be heard crying in the background. (Taylor and Tate also share Ocean, 5.)
“It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child,” Taylor’s rep shared in a statement to TMZ. “Releasing an old and selectively edited video on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show and from their own experiences.”
As the drama unfolded, Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette — which was scheduled to premiere on Sunday, March 22 — was canceled on Thursday.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney Entertainment spokesperson told Us.
After news broke of the cancellation, Taylor broke her silence in statement released through her rep.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” the statement read in part. “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm. … Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support and preparing to own and share her story.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
