A judge delivered a significant ruling Thursday in the contentious legal battle between Taylor Frankie Paul and her former partner Dakota Mortensen, issuing mutual protective orders and addressing the custody arrangement for their young son.
During a hearing on Thursday, April 30, the judge characterized the relationship between Paul, 31, and Mortensen, 33, in stark terms. "This has been a very toxic relationship. It's beyond the pale in a lot of ways, the toxicity," the judge stated. "What I've seen from the evidence even post [the] last hearing, there seems to be a continuing attraction that they have for each other. … You guys have to figure out a lot here. You have to figure out how to function as coparents."
The court ordered mutual protective orders for both parties, requiring each to maintain a distance of 100 feet from the other. The judge emphasized the need for both individuals to prioritize their child's welfare above their personal conflicts.
"I'm hoping that you're not people who just thrive on the drama and the conflict. You've got to put your child first and shield the child from this conflict," the judge said before addressing the custody arrangements. "I'm going to leave the current order in place. I need to think a little bit more about this lifting of supervision. I have mixed feelings about it."
Paul temporarily lost custody of her 2-year-old son Ever earlier in April following a series of domestic violence allegations between the former couple. She was permitted supervised visitations with Ever for eight hours each week. Paul also shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul.
The legal proceedings stem from an investigation opened by Utah police in March after Paul and Mortensen allegedly engaged in an altercation weeks prior. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star addressed the situation last month, denying the accusations made by Mortensen.
"There's more to the context to everything and it's unfortunate," Paul stated. "It's been hard. It sucks to be in this position. And the mother that I am, that is something I will always stand my ground on. I believe that I am a good mother and I have always treated my kids very well."
Mortensen issued a public statement via Instagram on April 20, reflecting on the situation and his priorities moving forward. "Over the past several weeks, I've taken a step back and had time away from the chaos. That space has been a breath of fresh air and has given me clarity," he wrote. "My focus now is where it should have been all along-on my son and creating a stable, healthy environment for him moving forward."
He continued, "I regret not stepping away from the difficult cycle sooner. I'm not perfect, and I take accountability for my part. I'm sincerely sorry to those I've hurt. At the same time, I don't agree with how this situation has been portrayed publicly. It does not reflect the full context of what occurred or the impact it has had on me and my son."
This is not the first domestic violence incident involving the former couple. Paul was arrested in February 2023 following a separate altercation with Mortensen. She pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault as part of a plea agreement that dismissed additional charges related to child abuse. Paul was subsequently placed on probation.
Footage from the 2023 incident was leaked in March, showing Paul physically assaulting and throwing chairs at Mortensen in the presence of her daughter.
The judge's decision to maintain the current custody arrangement while contemplating future modifications reflects the complexity of the case and the court's concern for the child's wellbeing amid ongoing parental conflict.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.