Reality television personality Taylor Frankie Paul has been photographed in Utah for the first time since ABC announced the cancellation of her upcoming season of The Bachelorette, marking a dramatic turn in the ongoing legal proceedings involving the 31-year-old star.
Paul was observed on Friday, March 20, outside her five-bedroom residence in Utah, wearing dark sunglasses and a green sweatshirt while speaking on her phone in a white SUV. The sighting came just days after she had been in New York promoting what was to be her debut as the lead of the popular dating series.
The network's decision to scrap the entire season followed revelations of an ongoing domestic violence investigation involving Paul and her former partner, Dakota Mortensen, 33. The Draper Police Department confirmed that allegations have been made by both parties stemming from an incident in February.
In a significant legal development on Friday, Mortensen was granted a temporary restraining order against Paul, along with temporary custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever. A hearing has been scheduled for April 7 to address these matters further.
The court filings were submitted on Thursday, March 19, shortly after footage emerged showing Paul throwing a stool at Mortensen during a 2023 altercation. Paul's daughter from her previous marriage to Tate Paul was present during the incident. Paul was arrested for that altercation and subsequently pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
Paul is currently serving a three-year probation period, which is scheduled to conclude in August 2026. The recent allegations could potentially impact this arrangement.
Criminal defense attorney R.J. Dreiling, who is not involved in the case, explained the potential legal implications. He stated that even without formal charges in the most recent case, prosecutors could treat the matter as a probation violation, potentially seeking to revoke the prior plea agreement and pursue custody time.
Paul addressed the domestic violence allegations during a New York City press dinner on Tuesday, March 17, stating that there is additional context to the situation. She emphasized her role as a mother, asserting that she has always treated her children well and expressing difficulty with the current headlines.
Following the cancellation of her Bachelorette season, a spokesperson for Paul released a statement indicating that she had endured extensive mental and physical abuse and threats of retaliation. The representative stated that Paul is taking steps to protect herself and her children from further harm.
The statement further noted that many women suffer in silence from aggressive former partners who prevent them from moving forward with their lives. Paul reportedly remained silent out of fear of additional abuse, retaliation, and public scrutiny, but is now exploring her options and preparing to share her account of events.
In response, Mortensen issued his own statement categorically denying the claims made about him and their relationship. He stated that he is focusing on their son's safety and hopes Paul will do the same.
Paul is known for her appearance on the reality series Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The April 7 hearing will be a critical juncture in determining custody arrangements and the status of the restraining order.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.