Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensens Protective-Order Battle Continues Amid Custody Win

Taylor Frankie Paul, the former reality‑TV star, has found herself back in the spotlight—this time for a legal showdown over custody and protective orders with ex‑partner Dakota Mortensen. On June 26, Utah police called the 32‑year‑old after Mortensen—33—filed a request alleging a possible violation of a protective order. The Bluffdale Police Department confirmed it had spoken with Paul to gather information and then forwarded the matter to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office for review. Police emphasized that no active criminal case exists against either party at the time.

The couple have been silent toward each other since the orders were issued. Mortensen’s initial police contact stemmed from concerns about the drop‑off and custody of their two‑year‑old son, Ever, as outlined in the protective order. A few days later, Paul posted a deleted Instagram Story in which she noted that police had called her again that week, describing the situation as “obsessive.” The post never named the individual who had reached out to law enforcement.

The legal dispute began in February 2023, when Paul was arrested in Utah on aggravated assault charges following an incident with Mortensen. She pleaded guilty to a third‑degree felony count of aggravated assault and entered a plea deal. The couple welcomed their son in March 2024 and ended their relationship in 2025, just before Paul was scheduled to film season 22 of The Bachelorette. The season was pulled from ABC’s schedule in March 2025 after a video of the 2023 altercation surfaced.

In March 2025, Mortensen filed a protective order against Paul, alleging physical abuse during two separate February incidents. Paul countered with a temporary restraining order that accused Mortensen of a pattern of abusive conduct and coercive control. A court hearing on April 30, 2026 extended both parties’ protective orders for an additional three years and directed them to pursue mediation.

A key development came on June 1, 2026, when a Salt Lake City judge ruled that Paul would be granted unsupervised, overnight visitation with Ever. The judge approved a custody arrangement that allows Paul to spend unsupervised nights with her son, while supervised visits remain in place during the day. The decision was reported by USA Today and TMZ and confirmed by court documents.

The custody win sits within a broader legal framework that includes the protective orders and ongoing mediation process. While the orders remain in effect, the court has not yet addressed the full scope of custody beyond the overnight visits. The judge’s decision was based on evidence presented by both parties and the court’s assessment that the arrangement serves the child’s best interests.

The case underscores how reality‑TV exposure can amplify domestic‑violence legal proceedings. Paul’s public profile has intensified scrutiny of her legal challenges, and the cancellation of her Bachelorette season highlights the entertainment industry’s sensitivity to abuse allegations. Protective orders, which require the parties to stay at least 100 feet apart, remain in place as the parties work toward a resolution.

As of the latest court filings, no new criminal charges have been filed against either party. The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office has not issued a statement regarding future actions. Both Paul and Mortensen have declined to comment on the matter.

The current situation is that protective orders are active for three years, a custody arrangement has been approved that allows Paul unsupervised overnight visits with their son, and the parties are engaged in mediation. No additional legal actions have been reported.