Taylor Frankie Paul, known for her roles in “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and the canceled season of “The Bachelorette,” will not face charges following recent altercations with her former partner, as confirmed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday. Police in Draper City and West Jordan have been investigating reports of domestic violence in 2024 and this February between Paul and her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, with whom she shares a two-year-old son. While both parties have made allegations against each other, the decision not to press charges against Paul was explained by Breanne Miller from the district attorney’s Family Protection Unit.
The incidents reported did not meet the criteria for criminal charges, with some occurrences dating back more than three years, falling outside the legal timeframe for review. The absence of new charges does not impact Mortensen’s existing protective order against Paul, which could become permanent after an upcoming hearing on April 30. Paul’s lawyer, Eric Swinyard, argued that Mortensen initiated a physical altercation in February, which he referred to as the “truck tussle.”
A previous incident in 2023 led to the shelving of a season of “The Bachelorette” after leaked video footage showed Paul engaging in violent behavior towards Mortensen in front of her daughter. Paul was initially charged with aggravated assault and other offenses, including domestic violence. She pleaded guilty to assault, with the possibility of the charge being reduced to a misdemeanor if she abides by a three-year probationary period ending in August. The remaining counts were dismissed.
The couple’s tumultuous relationship, prominently featured on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” has been the subject of ongoing legal battles, with both parties seeking protective orders against each other. Arguments presented include claims of provocation and concerns about the well-being of their son, Ever. The developments surrounding Paul and Mortensen’s personal life have drawn significant attention, further fueling Paul’s rise to reality TV stardom.
