Taylor Frankie Paul Files Protective Order Alleging Abuse by Ex-Partner Dakota Mortensen

Reality television personality Taylor Frankie Paul has filed for a protective order against her former partner, Dakota Mortensen, alleging a sustained pattern of abusive behavior, according to court documents.

The filing, submitted on April 7 in Salt Lake City, comes amid an ongoing legal dispute between the former couple involving custody and visitation arrangements for their young child. It also follows a separate protective order request filed by Mortensen against Paul in late March.

In the newly filed documents, Paul accuses Mortensen of what her legal team describes as “coercive control” and repeated abusive conduct throughout their relationship. Among the most serious claims is an alleged incident that occurred in the early hours of February 22.

According to the filing, Mortensen arrived unannounced at Paul’s residence following a reported breakup. Paul alleges that after initially leaving, Mortensen returned and insisted on continuing the conversation. In an effort to avoid disturbing her children, Paul claims she agreed to speak with him outside and entered his vehicle.

The filing states that Mortensen then allegedly drove away against her wishes. During the ensuing argument, Paul claims he physically assaulted her, including forcing her head into the dashboard and striking her knee and elbow.

The timing of this incident appears to coincide with a domestic disturbance investigation previously reported in Utah, during which both parties accused each other of assault. Authorities have not publicly confirmed findings from that inquiry.

Paul’s filing also references an earlier alleged incident in March 2025, in which she claims Mortensen caused visible bruising. According to the document, Paul lost her balance during the altercation, after which Mortensen allegedly kicked her while she was on the ground.

Beyond physical violence, the filing outlines allegations of controlling behavior. Paul claims Mortensen sent repeated messages following their breakup and engaged in actions she describes as obsessive, including tattooing her initials inside his lip and sharing the image with her.

Her legal team further argues that Mortensen’s own protective order filing may have been intended to undermine her professional opportunities, describing it as an attempt to “sabotage” her career.

Mortensen has not publicly responded to the latest allegations. His legal representative has not issued a statement as of now. However, he has previously made his own claims of abuse against Paul, including reports made to law enforcement regarding alleged incidents in both 2024 and early 2026.

In 2023, Paul pleaded guilty to an assault charge connected to an incident in which she threw an object that struck her daughter. That case resurfaced in public discourse after video footage was released, contributing to professional consequences, including the cancellation of a planned television appearance.

The escalating legal battle has already had ripple effects on Paul’s career, including reported disruptions to production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, the reality series that brought her broader public recognition.

A court hearing related to the competing protective orders and custody arrangements is expected in the coming weeks in Salt Lake City.