{"id":2351261,"date":"2026-03-30T11:01:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T11:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2351261"},"modified":"2026-03-30T11:01:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T11:01:17","slug":"taylor-frankie-pauls-domestic-violence-investigations-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/taylor-frankie-pauls-domestic-violence-investigations-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Taylor Frankie Paul’s domestic violence investigations explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Amid allegations of three domestic violence incidents involving reality TV star Taylor Frankie Paul, fans are worried about whether MomTok can survive this.<\/p>\n

Paul, who gained an online following after founding MomTok \u2014 a loosely connected group of TikTokers who made content about their lives as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints \u2014 previously pleaded guilty in abeyance to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault following a fight with former boyfriend Dakota Mortensen in 2023. <\/p>\n

MomTok inspired the Hulu reality show \u201cThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,\u201d which follows eight women in Salt Lake City who grapple with their relationship with the church. The first season explored the fallout of the group\u2019s \u201csoft swinging\u201d<\/a> scandal, which Paul exposed on TikTok prior to filming. <\/p>\n

Throughout its four seasons, \u201cMormon Wives\u201d has featured lighthearted content like the moms\u2019 love of the soda shop Swig and more weighty topics, including gender roles within the Mormon church. \u201cMormon Wives\u201d has also crossed over with various Disney reality shows, including \u201cDancing With the Stars,\u201d<\/a> \u201cThe Bachelorette\u201d<\/a> and \u201cVanderpump Villa.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, filming on Season 5 of \u201cMormon Wives\u201d was paused and Paul\u2019s season of \u201cThe Bachelorette\u201d was shelved in the wake of domestic abuse allegations. A second investigation, which began in late February, gained even more attention when a video from Paul\u2019s 2023 domestic dispute with Mortensen was made public. The footage showed Paul putting Mortensen in a headlock and throwing metal barstools while the couple fought. Paul\u2019s daughter can be heard crying and was injured during the incident, according to the police report. <\/p>\n

2020: The birth of MomTok<\/h2>\n

Paul, Whitney Leavitt, Mayci Neeley and Mikayla Matthews begin making videos together on TikTok. Their content focuses on motherhood and their relationship with the church mixed with dancing and skits. <\/p>\n

May 2022: The Pauls split<\/h2>\n

Paul posts a video on TikTok<\/a> announcing her divorce from her husband, Tate Paul. Fans begin speculating what led to their divorce.<\/p>\n

May 25, 2022: \u2019Soft swinging\u2019 scandal emerges<\/h2>\n

On TikTok Live<\/a>, Paul explains that she and her husband had been in an open relationship and were part of a \u201csoft swinging\u201d group with other members of MomTok. Paul says she had violated the group\u2019s rules by meeting with a partner without her husband\u2019s knowledge, which contributed to their divorce. <\/p>\n

Feb. 17, 2023: Paul is arrested<\/h2>\n

Hulu begins filming the first season of \u201cMormon Wives.\u201d After a fight with Mortensen, Paul is arrested and charged with assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to the Herriman Police Department<\/a>. Filming of the show is put on hold during the investigation. <\/p>\n

August 2023: Paul enters a plea deal<\/h2>\n

Paul enters a plea in abeyance to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault. The agreement allows charges to be reduced after three years, if Paul meets the requirements of her plea deal.<\/p>\n

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Dakota Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul share 2-year-old son Ever. <\/p>\n

(Fred Hayes \/ Disney)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

March 19, 2024: Paul and Mortensen welcome a son<\/h2>\n

Paul has a son,<\/a> Ever, with Mortensen. While the pair had been dating throughout Paul\u2019s pregnancy, they choose to end their relationship and co-parent their son. <\/p>\n

Sept. 6, 2024: \u2018Mormon Wives\u2019 debuts<\/h2>\n

The first season of \u201cMormon Wives\u201d is released on Hulu. The series follows cast members Jen Affleck, Jessi Draper, Demi Engemann and Layla Taylor, as well as Leavitt, Neeley, Matthews and Paul from the original group of MomTokers. The pilot episode, \u201cThe First Book of Taylor,\u201d explores the fallout of the swinging scandal and ends with Paul\u2019s 2023 arrest. The second episode picks up nearly a year after the incident.<\/p>\n

The show is Hulu\u2019s most-watched unscripted season premiere of 2024 and is renewed just a month after its premiere. <\/p>\n

October 2024: On again<\/h2>\n

Mortensen and Paul seemingly reconcile their relationship. <\/p>\n

December 2025: Off again<\/h2>\n

Paul and Mortensen break up. On Christmas, Paul posts on TikTok<\/a> that she \u201cwouldn\u2019t wish this pain upon anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"Demi <\/picture>\n
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Demi Engemann, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley, Layla Taylor, Whitney Leavitt, Miranda Hope and Taylor Frankie Paul in Season 2 of \u201cThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Fred Hayes \/ Disney)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

May 15, 2025: Season 2 premieres<\/h2>\n

Season 2 of \u201cMormon Wives\u201d is released. Miranda Hope joins the cast. <\/p>\n

Sept. 10, 2025: Paul gets her roses<\/h2>\n

During an episode of Alex Cooper\u2019s hit podcast \u201cCall Her Daddy,\u201d<\/a> Paul announces she will star as \u201cThe Bachelorette.\u201d Paul is the first-ever Bachelorette to have not competed on \u201cThe Bachelor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fall 2025: Mortensen\u2018s mea culpa<\/h2>\n

While FaceTiming Paul before she begins filming \u201cThe Bachelorette,\u201d Mortensen apologizes for his behavior and tells Paul \u201csave a rose for me.\u201d This conversation is shown in the fourth season of the show in March 2026. <\/p>\n

Nov. 13, 2025: Season 3 debuts<\/h2>\n

\u201dMormon Wives\u201d Season 3 premieres. <\/p>\n

Feb. 24-25, 2026: A second investigation opens<\/h2>\n

The Draper City Police Department makes contact with Paul and Mortensen regarding an open \u201cdomestic assault investigation\u201d between the two, with allegations being made in both directions. <\/p>\n

March 12, 2026: Season 4 drops<\/h2>\n

Season 4 of \u201cMormon Wives\u201d is released. <\/p>\n

March 16, 2026: \u2018Mormon Wives\u2019 filming halts<\/h2>\n

Filming for Season 5 of \u201cMormon Wives\u201d is paused as the new investigation involving Paul and Mortensen becomes public.<\/p>\n

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\"Taylor <\/picture>\n
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Taylor Frankie Paul\u2019s season of \u201cThe Bachelorette\u201d was canceled three days before it was set to premiere.<\/p>\n

(Michael Kirchoff \/ Disney)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

TMZ <\/a> publishes a previously unreleased video taken by Mortensen during his February 2023 altercation with Paul. It shows Paul throwing barstools at Mortensen as her then-5-year-old daughter cries. After the video\u2019s release, ABC cancels Paul\u2019s season of \u201cThe Bachelorette.\u201d<\/p>\n

March 20, 2026: The court intervenes<\/h2>\n

Mortensen is granted temporary custody of Ever, his 2-year-old son with Paul, according to documents obtained by People<\/a>. <\/p>\n

March 24, 2026: A third investigation opens<\/h2>\n

The West Jordan Police Department in Utah begins investigating<\/a> a third incident of domestic abuse between Paul and Mortensen, which occurred in \u201cearly-mid 2024.\u201d No charges have been filed as the investigation is ongoing. <\/p>\n

Paul has been denied visitation until their protective order hearing on April 7, which may determine whether a final protective order is granted by the court. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n