Judge Grants Restraining Orders in Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen Case
A Salt Lake City judge on Thursday ordered that Taylor Frankie Paul and her former partner, Dakota Mortensen, maintain a distance of 100 feet from one another for the next three years. This ruling comes as a court commissioner works to determine the best path forward for their toddler son, Ever. Both parties, known for their appearances on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, had petitioned the court for restraining orders against each other.
The reality television star has been restricted from seeing her 2-year-old son unsupervised since a hearing on April 7. At that time, Third District Court Commissioner Russell Minas determined that both Paul and Mortensen had engaged in violent behavior in the presence of the child. In the weeks following that initial hearing, the commissioner concluded that the pair’s relationship is “very toxic,” noting that there has been “violence that occurred both ways between these parties.”
Commissioner Minas has urged the parents to prioritize their child’s well-being and shield him from their ongoing conflict. “I’m hoping that you’re not people who just thrive on the drama and the conflict,” Minas stated during the proceedings. “You’ve got to put your child first and shield the child from this conflict.”
Legal representation for Paul, attorney Eric M. Swinyard, emphasized his client’s willingness to address the situation. “Taylor was incredibly candid with the Court that she is not perfect and owned her faults, which is in direct contrast to how the other party presented their argument, despite evidence and input from law enforcement that showed otherwise,” Swinyard told Rolling Stone. He added that Paul remains committed to cooperating with the court to resolve the custody matter.
Mortensen’s legal team, led by Brent Salazar-Hall, has countered these claims, alleging that his client was also a victim of abuse. The court has been presented with accounts of various physical altercations, including incidents involving alleged physical aggression during arguments. A court-appointed lawyer is currently representing the interests of the child as the commissioner prepares to make a final recommendation regarding custody on May 11.
The legal scrutiny follows a tumultuous period for Paul, whose public profile has been marked by controversy, including a failed bid for The Bachelorette. A leaked video from 2023, which appeared to show Paul acting violently during a dispute, previously led to significant professional fallout, including the suspension of production on her reality projects. Paul previously pleaded guilty to assault, with her charge reduced to a misdemeanor on the condition that she avoid further legal issues for a three-year period.
