Taylor Frankie Paul’s Fate on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Revealed

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Taylor Frankie Paul is giving fans some faith.

A star of the Hulu reality show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has responded to rumors that she and her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, won’t be involved in finishing season five after a recent domestic violence incident.

After a report surfaced on April 22nd stating that production was resuming with the entire cast except for her and her former partner, Taylor responded on Instagram, saying, “That’s not what I was told.”

Okay, so TopMob News just confirmed they’re actually filming The Summer I Turned Pretty again! I’m losing it! But…and this is the part that’s killing me…it’s still not totally clear how much Taylor will actually be in it. Like, will she have a big role? A cameo? Just a fleeting glimpse? I need answers! It’s agonizing waiting to find out!

According to a source familiar with the situation, Taylor is currently focusing on her well-being and spending time with her family. The source also shared that Hulu has been understanding and accommodating.

According to a source close to the situation, she’s interested in returning to the show eventually. However, her priority right now is her family and taking care of herself. The show would welcome her back when she feels ready.

Production on the fifth season stopped in mid-March following a reported disagreement between Taylor and Dakota, who are parents to a 2-year-old child.

When the show went on break, a representative from the Draper City Police Department told People magazine they were investigating a reported domestic incident from late February. According to the police, both people involved had accused each other of wrongdoing.

A video surfaced days later showing a previous fight from 2023 involving Taylor and Dakota. This fight had resulted in Taylor pleading guilty to aggravated assault.

Due to significant public discussion and disagreement surrounding the star, ABC decided to postpone the upcoming season of The Bachelorette featuring Taylor, which had already been filmed. The premiere was originally scheduled for March 22nd.

Even with challenges in her personal and professional life, and while co-parenting two children with her ex-husband, Tate Paul, Taylor recently had a positive development in her custody case with Dakota. She was granted the right to visit their son with supervision.

As many of you know, there’s been a lot of discussion surrounding this case, and I’m happy to share an update. The Salt Lake County District Attorney has officially decided not to press charges against Taylor. This decision comes after thorough investigations by both the Draper and West Jordan Police Departments, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune. It’s a relief to see things moving forward, and I’m glad we have some clarity now.

Things have been a bit of a whirlwind lately, but I wanted to share how grateful I am for all the love and support from my fans. It really means the world to me, especially during challenging times. Knowing you’re there makes all the difference!

Taylor expressed her thanks in an April 10th Instagram post, sharing a photo of several gifts she’d received. She wrote, ‘Thank you to everyone who has supported me! I’m so grateful for these gifts, given at different times, that have really helped me through everything.’

She expressed gratitude for all the support she received, including messages, meals, gifts, calls, and prayers. She explained that while she appreciates the personal kindness, it feels truly amazing when you look at everything happening from a broader perspective – almost like a miracle.

Keep reading for a closer look at the drama surrounding Taylor, Dakota and TSLOMW‘s pause.

Taylor Frankie Paul, who gained popularity on TikTok as #MomTok, was arrested in Utah on February 17, 2023, following an altercation with her boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. According to court documents obtained by ABC 4 Utah, she allegedly threw metal chairs and a wooden playset at him while one of her children was present. She shares these children with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.

Court records show Taylor faces several charges, including aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence that injured a child, simple child abuse, and criminal mischief, according to documents released by the Salt Lake County District Attorney and reported by TopMob News.

As a lifestyle expert, I often see conflicts escalate, and this situation is a prime example. When police arrived, Dakota explained he and his girlfriend were arguing. He said that when he tried to leave, she unfortunately began physically assaulting him. It’s a really sad situation, and highlights how important it is to de-escalate arguments and never resort to violence.

In August 2023, Taylor admitted guilt to a serious assault charge, as shown in court records obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune. As part of the agreement, four other charges against him were dropped and cannot be filed again.

For three years, the charge against her was put on hold. If Taylor followed the conditions of her agreement, it would then be filed as a Class A misdemeanor, according to court records.

As part of her agreement, Taylor was required to undergo evaluations for both substance abuse and domestic violence, and to complete any treatment recommended by those evaluations, all within a three-year timeframe. She also had to avoid breaking any major laws.

Taylor and Dakota welcomed their son a week ahead of schedule. On April 4, 2024, Taylor shared a photo from the hospital on Instagram, writing about how much they all love him and expressing gratitude for how he’s brought their families together. They’ve been enjoying the first two weeks with their new baby.

Taylor told TopMob News that the fight with Dakota was definitely their lowest point.

She explained that he supported her because he understood what was really happening privately. “It was a terrible night, and I really regret it,” she said. Dakota himself had gone through a difficult time, so he empathized with her situation. He told her, ‘I want to help you get through this.’

As for the confrontation itself, she later said the incident had been building up. 

She revealed on the Viall Files podcast in September 2024 that she’d experienced an ectopic pregnancy a few months earlier, followed by a chemical pregnancy. While hesitant to directly blame hormonal imbalances, she acknowledged they likely played a role, saying she felt ‘pretty off.’

Taylor explained that she felt confused and upset by what happened, leading her to drink. Dakota then picked her up and expressed his displeasure that she had been drinking.

I recall throwing objects, and I didn’t recognize my daughters who were on the couch. We had babysitters, so I believe they were upstairs asleep. Apparently, Dakota tried to tell me my five-year-old was there too, but I was so out of it that I didn’t even care, and I threw another chair.

I was hooked from the very beginning when The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiered on Hulu in September 2024! The first episode actually started with a really dramatic moment – it showed Taylor’s arrest back in 2023. It was a pretty intense way to kick off the season.

Taylor publicly announced her breakup with Dakota in May 2025. The split came after it was revealed on the second season premiere of SLOMW that Dakota had been unfaithful shortly after their son was born. Taylor shared the news on TikTok, stating, “Dakota isn’t mine anymore, wish him the best.”

We were living together and so happy with our new baby, and I was starting to think about getting engaged,” she shared. “Then I found out he’d been lying to me the whole time.”

On a season four episode of SLOMW, Dakota confessed to having an affair with a friend, Shinia Powell. During a FaceTime call with Taylor, Dakota admitted, “It was a mistake, and I probably should have chosen someone else. The fact that it was Shinia was where I messed up – I knew it would cause problems, and that was wrong of me.”

Taylor was unexpectedly chosen as the next Bachelorette for season 22, and she announced the news on the Call Her Daddy podcast in September 2025. This is a change for the show, which typically selects former contestants from The Bachelor to be the Bachelorette.

Taylor saw it as a positive development, sharing in a preview for the new season, “I think this was meant to be part of my next journey.”

Taylor shared that she’s faced criticism, judgment, and rejection, but believes those who get to know her will see she’s sincere, has good intentions, and deserves another opportunity at love.

Just before Taylor started filming season 22 of The Bachelorette, a conversation she had with Dakota aired on season four of SLOMW. During that conversation, Dakota apologized for his relationship with Shinia, admitting it was a mistake and that he’d acted poorly.

He explained that both he and Taylor had caused each other pain, but he still thought they loved each other deeply.

The couple acknowledged their relationship was unhealthy, with Taylor believing that appearing on The Bachelorette could actually be beneficial for both of them, no matter the outcome. She felt it would provide a necessary pause and a chance for them to heal and break their negative pattern.

Dakota let Taylor know he still had feelings for her, saying he was glad she was happy and wished her well if she found someone else. He playfully asked her to ‘save a rose for him,’ hinting that he hoped she hadn’t completely ruled out the possibility of them being together.

Production on season five of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stopped in February 2026 following a reported argument between Taylor and Dakota.

On March 16th, a representative from the Draper City Police Department told People magazine that they were investigating reports of domestic assault involving Taylor and Dakota. The police stated that both individuals have accused each other. They confirmed that they spoke with those involved on February 24th and 25th, but couldn’t release further details because the investigation is still active.

According to a source speaking with TopMob News, Taylor is taking responsibility for her actions and is primarily focused on shielding her son, Ever, from negative press coverage about himself or his father, and ensuring he maintains a positive view of his father.

After Taylor and Dakota had a disagreement in 2026, TMZ released video of a physical fight between them that originally happened in 2023.

The video shows Dakota filming a fight while Taylor shouts at him and tries to hit him, even briefly putting him in a headlock.

“Look,” Dakota can be heard saying, “this is called physical abuse.”

Witnesses heard him telling her that their daughter was nearby just as Taylor started throwing metal barstools at him. During the fight, Taylor claimed Dakota pushed her to the ground before he started filming, and he responded by blaming her and asking for help with their five-year-old child. Taylor was later heard shouting at him to stay away from her daughter.

According to a police report obtained by TopMob News in 2023, the child was struck by a stool.

Following the video’s release, a representative for Taylor stated to TopMob News that it was part of an effort to damage her reputation. They said the video selectively presented information and aimed to shift attention away from Dakota’s behavior. Dakota, however, dismissed Taylor’s accusations as untrue.

Following the release of video showing a dispute between Taylor and Dakota in 2023, ABC announced it was cancelling season 22 of The Bachelorette. A Disney Entertainment representative told TopMob News that they decided not to proceed with the new season and are currently focused on providing support to the family involved.

Following ABC’s decision, Taylor broke her silence about the situation. 

Taylor appreciates the support she’s receiving from ABC as she focuses on keeping her family safe. According to her representative, she’s been secretly dealing with years of severe emotional and physical abuse, along with threats, but is now finding the courage to confront her abuser and protect herself and her children from future harm.

The statement also highlighted that many women are quietly enduring hardship caused by controlling, possessive former partners who won’t allow them to rebuild their lives.

Taylor’s team said she is considering her next steps, getting help, and will eventually talk publicly about what happened.

Dakota addressed claims of domestic violence involving him and Taylor, stating in a March 19th interview with TopMob News that the video footage of the incident is “deeply upsetting,” as anyone who has seen it would realize.

He said he’s become accustomed to false accusations regarding himself and their relationship, and he firmly denies them all.

Dakota said her priority is her son Ever’s well-being and safety, and she hopes Taylor will prioritize that as well.

According to documents obtained by People magazine on March 20th, Dakota was granted temporary custody of Ever after filing a request for protection against Taylor. A hearing is scheduled for April 7th where Taylor will have the opportunity to present her perspective. However, until then, the order prevents either parent from spending time with Ever.

Utah police are investigating a possible domestic violence incident from 2024 that Dakota reported in February, according to a West Jordan Police Department spokesperson who spoke with NBC News on March 24. Investigators have contacted Taylor’s lawyer but haven’t yet spoken to Taylor directly. They are hoping she will provide a written statement or agree to an interview to confirm the details of Dakota’s report.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office has decided not to press charges against Taylor following investigations by both the Draper and West Jordan Police Departments.

The news release stated that because the defendant is a well-known figure, several lawyers reviewed the cases.

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2026-04-22 21:22