Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen both granted protective orders – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pixabay)
Salt Lake City, Utah — The enforced separation now shapes daily life for Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, who must keep 100 feet between them while co-parenting their 2-year-old son. A Utah court commissioner issued mutual protective orders on Thursday, extending temporary restraints into three-year mandates following dueling claims of domestic violence.[1][2] Commissioner Russell Minas described their dynamic as profoundly dysfunctional, urging the pair to prioritize their child’s future over ongoing conflict.
A Courtroom Confrontation Reveals Deep-Rooted Issues
The hearing unfolded in Third District Court on April 30, 2026, with both Paul and Mortensen appearing in person for the first time since investigations into their altercations surfaced earlier that year. Livestreamed to the public, the nearly two-hour session laid bare a pattern of volatility that Minas called “beyond the pale” in its toxicity.[1] He found evidence of violence from both sides, noting Paul’s reactions as more impulsive while characterizing Mortensen’s actions as calculated to provoke her.
Minas addressed them directly, expressing hope that neither thrived on drama and stressing the lifelong link through their son. He warned that their modeled behavior could shape the toddler’s approach to conflict as an adult. The commissioner delayed final custody rulings, pending mental health evaluations and a parenting time recommendation due by May 11.[3]
Strict Terms Enforce Long-Term Separation
The protective orders prohibit any direct contact, whether in person, by phone, email, or mail, with exceptions only for court-approved child-related communication through attorneys or mediators. Violations carry potential criminal penalties. These measures stem from 11 documented fights, some occurring near children, as detailed in court filings.[2]
Key restrictions include:
- A minimum 100-foot distance at all times.
- No shared locations, ensuring they avoid incidental encounters.
- Barring possession of weapons or threats during the term.
- Three-year duration, unless modified by the court.
Prosecutors from Salt Lake County and Draper City declined charges against Paul in April, citing insufficient evidence, while neither party’s accounts fully aligned with police findings.[1]
Years of Escalating Conflicts
Paul and Mortensen’s relationship, featured on Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” since 2024, devolved amid repeated incidents. A leaked 2023 video captured Paul hurling barstools at Mortensen in front of her daughter, leading to her arrest and a guilty plea in abeyance for aggravated assault; her probation ends in August.[4] Further clashes in 2025 and February 2026 prompted police probes by Draper City and West Jordan departments.
Mortensen filed first on March 19, securing temporary custody of their son and a short-term order against Paul. She countered on April 7, alleging stalking, head-slamming in a vehicle, and other abuses, including a tattoo of her initials sent provocatively. His filings included injury photos, positioning him as a victim breaking an abuse cycle.[5] Earlier temporary rulings limited Paul to eight supervised hours weekly with Ever True.
Custody Arrangements Center on Young Son’s Safety
Ever True remains in Mortensen’s primary custody, with Paul’s visitation capped at supervised sessions to shield the child from tension. Minas voiced reluctance to prolong supervision indefinitely, wary it could enable manipulation, and leaned toward gradual unsupervised access, potentially restoring her prior 70% time share.[2] A June 1 review hearing looms after required domestic violence and mental health assessments.
Paul, mother to two other children from her prior marriage to Tate Paul, described the three-week separation from Ever as excruciating for her family. Child protective services mandated safety plans emphasizing minimal parental contact.[3]
Spotlight on Paul Intensifies Personal Turmoil
Known as MomTok’s founder, Paul built fame through TikTok amid a 2022 Mormon swinging scandal that ended her first marriage. Her “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” role documented the Dakota romance, but Season 5 production paused in March after cast backlash, resuming without them.[1] ABC shelved her “Bachelorette” lead days before premiere following the 2023 video leak.
Paul’s attorney, Eric M. Swinyard, highlighted her courtroom candor about imperfections and commitment to sobriety post-miscarriages and alcohol struggles. She expressed solidarity with abuse survivors. Mortensen did not comment.[4]
With barriers now legally cemented, Paul and Mortensen face the hard work of distant co-parenting. Their son’s stability depends on heeding the court’s call for maturity, though the pull of past patterns lingers as a cautionary undercurrent.
