A domestic violence incident from 2023 involving social media personality Taylor Frankie Paul and her former partner Dakota Mortensen has returned to public attention following the cancellation of her scheduled reality television appearance. The case, which originated in Utah, resulted in multiple criminal charges and has sparked renewed discussion about domestic violence in relationships.
Emergency services received a call from an unidentified witness who reported hearing a woman screaming and repeatedly saying "Get off me" at the couple's Utah residence. The caller described a garage door opening and closing multiple times, suggesting someone was attempting to leave the property.
When law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, they encountered conflicting accounts from both parties. Dakota Mortensen, now 33, alleged that Paul was intoxicated and had thrown metal chairs at him during the altercation. "I was actually a little bit scared for my life there," Mortensen told responding officers, according to police reports.
Paul, now 31, presented a different version of events to authorities. She claimed Mortensen was also intoxicated and had physically removed her from the house. "I peed my pants because I was so scared of him," Paul stated to officers. "He pushed me into the wooden thing so I reacted."
The incident resulted in Paul's arrest on multiple charges, including aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury, and criminal mischief. Paul ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while prosecutors dismissed the remaining charges. Following her release from custody, Paul reconciled with Mortensen.
The case remained largely out of the public eye until Thursday, March 19, when video footage of the incident surfaced publicly. The timing proved significant for Paul's professional career. ABC announced hours later that it had canceled her scheduled season of "The Bachelorette," which had been set to premiere on Sunday, March 22.
A Disney Entertainment spokesperson explained the network's decision in a statement: "In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family."
Paul's representative responded to the cancellation with a statement addressing her situation. "Taylor is very grateful for ABC's support as she prioritizes her family's safety and security," the statement read. "After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm."
Mortensen issued his own statement categorically denying the allegations. "As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation," he stated. "I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same."
The case highlights the complex nature of domestic violence situations, where both parties may present conflicting narratives. Paul shares two children with her ex-husband Tate Paul and has one child with Mortensen. The presence of children during the original incident factored into the initial charges filed against Paul.
Paul gained prominence through her appearance on "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," a reality series that documented the lives of social media influencers within Mormon communities. The cancellation of her "Bachelorette" season represents a significant professional setback for the reality television personality.
The resurfacing of this case serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of domestic violence incidents and the challenges faced by those involved in such situations. Both parties have filed legal actions, and the matter continues to develop through the court system.
Individuals experiencing domestic violence can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support and resources.