Taylor Frankie Paul’s Ex-Husband Seen at Courthouse with Dakota After She Was Accused of Abusing Both Their Children
The Taylor Frankie Paul scandal probably won’t die out anytime soon. The former star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, who was set to star in the new season of ABC’s The Bachelorette until TMZ published a video showcasing an instance of domestic assault involving Taylor, has now publicly addressed ABC’s decision to pull the season off the air. And the other people involved in the drama are not staying put, either.
Her two exes just recently ran into each other at a courthouse in Utah. Yes, small world. TMZ published photos of her ex-husband, Tate Paul, and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, chatting in the lobby of a courthouse in Northern Utah. Hard to know what to say to that other than… It’s a small world.
The publication reported that both were there to obtain protective orders against Taylor. They reportedly did not show up together; they just happened to get there at the same time. And though they clearly spoke, as pictures show, they came and went separately—without attorneys present.
Previous reports from TMZ indicate that Mortensen filed for a protective order on Thursday, claiming Taylor attacked him inside their home while their son Ever was nearby. The two are reportedly being investigated by the Utah Division of Children and Family Services over allegations of spousal abuse on both sides.
In the video that started all of this, Taylor is seen pushing and kicking Dakota as he asks her to stop and to “let me go.” The recording does not capture the moments before the altercation, but it does show her throwing several metal barstools at Dakota, with her daughter very close. The police report from the accident shows that her 5-year-old daughter, whom she shares with Tate, was struck, with police describing the girl as having a “goose egg on her head.”
Taylor and Tate became famous in 2022 for “soft swinging” with other Mormon couples. They then divorced. Taylor and Dakota both appear on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The Hulu show, however, has paused on Season 5 due to this very same domestic assault investigation involving Taylor and Dakota Mortensen.
“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,” Disney said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Taylor released a statement that says, “Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. 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.”
The statement added, “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. 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.”
Taylor shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with Tate and son Ever, 2, with Dakota.
