Taylor Frankie Paul Bonds With Older Kids Amid Dakota Mortensen Drama

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Taylor Frankie Paul is putting family first.

Star of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Meri Brown, was supported by family and friends while her ex-husband, Dakota Mortensen, temporarily cares for their 2-year-old son, Ever. This comes after Meri, age 33, requested a protective order last month.

Taylor Swift, 31, shared a photo on Instagram on April 3rd of herself relaxing with her two older children (from her previous marriage to Tate Paul), her mother, Liann May, and other family members during a hotel stay in Utah. Liann May then shared the picture on her own Instagram, adding a red heart and the caption, “Family time is my favorite!”

Dakota requested a protective order on March 19th, the same day TMZ released a video showing a fight between him and Taylor from 2023, which happened while their daughter was present. A court hearing is scheduled for April 7th, where Taylor will have the opportunity to present her perspective. However, until then, the order prohibits either parent from spending time with their child, according to People magazine.

Following the video’s release, Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette, originally scheduled to premiere on March 22nd, was canceled. Her representative stated to TopMob News that she was thankful for ABC’s support while focusing on her family’s well-being. Dakota also told TopMob News that he was prioritizing the safety of their son and hoped Taylor would do the same.

Beyond the issues from the 2023 incident, Utah authorities also confirmed in March they are looking into a separate domestic assault case between Taylor and Dakota. This new investigation stems from a February argument, and police told People magazine that both individuals made accusations against each other.

Police in West Jordan are also investigating a third reported incident of domestic violence between the former couple. According to NBC News, a police spokesperson said Dakota reported the incident, which allegedly happened in 2024, to authorities in February.

For more details on Taylor and Dakota’s domestic violence scandal, read on.

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. These documents were released by the Salt Lake County District Attorney and reported by TopMob News.

According to court documents, the officer who arrived at the scene reported that Dakota said he had been arguing with his girlfriend. The officer stated that Dakota told him his girlfriend, Taylor, began hitting him as he tried to leave their home.

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

For three years, the charges against her were put on hold. If Taylor followed the conditions of her agreement, the case would then be filed as a minor offense, according to court records.

As part of her agreement, Taylor was required to undergo assessments for both substance abuse and domestic violence, and complete any treatment programs recommended over three years. 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.

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, even the things no one else knew. “It was a terrible night, and I really regret it,” she said. Dakota, having gone through tough times himself, completely understood what she was feeling. He told her, ‘I want to help you through this.’

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

Let me tell you, navigating fertility can be a really emotional journey. A few months ago, I experienced an ectopic pregnancy, and then shortly after, a chemical pregnancy. It’s been tough! I don’t want to say it’s all down to hormones, but I definitely think they’re playing a role in how I’ve been feeling – things have been a little out of whack, to be honest.

Taylor explained that she felt confused and upset after what happened, and turned to alcohol to cope. She said Dakota was upset when he found out she had been drinking.

I recall throwing objects and not recognizing my daughters, who were on the couch. We had babysitters, so I assumed 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.

The reality show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiered on Hulu in September 2024, and the first episode of its first season showed footage of Taylor’s arrest in 2023.

I was absolutely devastated when Taylor finally confirmed everything in May 2025. It all came out on the new season of SLOMW, and honestly, my heart broke for her. Apparently, Dakota cheated on her – cheated! – so soon after their little boy was born. She posted this short, heartbreaking message on TikTok, just saying ‘Dakota isn’t mine anymore, wish him the best.’ It was so… final. I just can’t believe he did that to her. I’m still reeling, honestly.

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

In a fourth season 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 bad decision, and I probably should have chosen someone else. The person I chose was the problem – I knew it would be complicated and that was wrong of me.”

Okay, you guys, I’m STILL freaking out! Can you BELIEVE it?! Taylor is going to be the Bachelorette for Season 22! I nearly died when she announced it on Call Her Daddy last September. It’s SO different from what they usually do – they always pick someone who was already on The Bachelor, but this… this is amazing. It’s a total shake-up, and I am HERE for it. I knew she was destined for greatness!

Taylor saw it as a positive development, explaining in a preview for the upcoming season, “I think this happened to help me move forward.”

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

Just before Taylor started filming season 22 of The Bachelorette, a conversation with Dakota from season four of SLOMW resurfaced. In it, Dakota apologized for his relationship with Shinia, admitting it was a mistake and saying he felt bad about it.

Okay, so he basically said they’ve both messed up, really hurt each other, like, a lot. But even with all that, he genuinely thinks they still love each other! I just knew it! There’s still hope, you guys, hope! They’re meant to be, I can feel it!

The couple acknowledged their relationship was unhealthy, and Taylor believed appearing on The Bachelorette could actually be beneficial for both of them, even if they didn’t end up together. She felt it would provide a needed pause and a chance for personal growth and healing.

Dakota let Taylor know he still had feelings for her. He told her he was glad she was happy and wished her well if she found someone else, but playfully asked her to ‘save a rose for him,’ implying he hoped she hadn’t completely ruled out a future with him.

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

On March 16, a representative from the Draper City Police Department told People magazine they were investigating reports of domestic assault involving Taylor and Dakota. The representative stated that both individuals had made accusations against each other. Police made contact with those involved on February 24th and 25th, but are not releasing further details while the investigation is ongoing.

According to a source at TopMob News, Taylor is taking responsibility for her actions and is primarily focused on shielding her son, Ever, from negative press or anything that could affect his view of his father. She wants Ever to have a positive image 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.”

He said she knew her daughter was there just as Taylor started throwing metal barstools at him. During the fight, Taylor claimed Dakota pushed her to the floor before he started filming, and he responded by blaming her and asking her to help their five-year-old daughter. Taylor was later heard shouting at him to stay away from her child.

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 was intended to shift attention away from Dakota’s behavior. Dakota, however, dismissed Taylor’s accusations as untrue.

Following the release of video showing a disagreement between Taylor and Dakota in 2023, ABC announced it was cancelling season 22 of The Bachelorette. A Disney Entertainment representative told TopMob News, “We’ve decided not to proceed with the new season right now, and our priority is supporting the family involved.”

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

Taylor appreciates the support she’s received 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 due to 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 of the incident is “deeply upsetting,” as anyone who has seen it would likely agree.

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

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

According to documents obtained by People magazine on March 20th, Dakota was granted temporary custody of Ever after filing a protective order against Taylor. A hearing is scheduled for April 7th where Taylor will have the opportunity to present her perspective. However, until that hearing, neither parent is allowed to spend time with Ever, according to the order.

Utah police are investigating a new claim of domestic violence 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 herself. They are hoping she will provide a written statement or agree to an interview to confirm the details of Dakota’s report.

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2026-04-04 20:48