Trigger Warning: This story contains descriptions of domestic violence.
Taylor Frankie Paul is speaking out for the first time since learning that she will not be facing domestic violence charges.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star– whose season of The Bachelorette was cancelled by ABC in March, just days before it was set to premiere– is currently on probation for a previous domestic violence charge from 2023 and appears to be relieved that no new charges will be filed against her, which would have likely violated her probation.
In March, TMZ broke the news that Taylor was involved in an incident where she allegedly choked her now ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, tore his necklace off, and grabbed at his throat while their two-year-old son Ever was in the room. Recently, Taylor’s legal team submitted new evidence that shows bruising on her knee and forehead, allegedly from the same night, that aimed to prove that Dakota also allegedly committed domestic violence against Taylor.
According to People, Utah police departments opened investigations into both Taylor and Dakota in February after one of Dakota’s friends reported that Dakota had “been the victim of a domestic violence assault by an ex-girlfriend at her Draper residence.”
Later in March, the police opened a second investigation regarding a separate incident from 2023; TMZ shared a video of the incident, which showed Taylor kicking, hitting and throwing stools at Dakota, one of which hit one of the two children she shares with ex-husband Tate Paul. (As The Ashley previously told you, this incident got Taylor arrested and placed on probation for abeyance to aggravated assault, which is supposed to end in August.)
On Tuesday, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office released a statement explaining that they will not be pressing new charges against the ‘Mormon Wives’ star for the 2023 domestic violence incident. In letters obtained by People, the DA claimed that they had “multiple attorneys” review the cases because of the “high profile of the defendant,” and all came to the same conclusion, that since the two cases occurred more than two years ago, they fell outside the statute of limitations for prosecution.
Additionally, the other supposed incidents either “do not rise to the level of criminal offenses” or lack “sufficient evidence to support filing criminal charges.”
Prosecutors claimed that some of the incidents the charges are based on lack “specificity as to when and what actually occurred or corroboration,” but they are open to revisiting the case if new evidence is revealed.
On Tuesday, Taylor posted a photo of a bouquet of flowers on her Instagram Story, writing, “Cried when I got the call! THANK YOU to those that have stood with me.”
Despite charges being dropped, the custody agreement that was agreed upon last week following the approval of Taylor’s counter restraining order against Dakota will remain in place until the exes’ hearing on April 20.
Dakota has yet to respond to the results of the investigation.
(Photos: Hulu; Instagram; Reddit)
3 Responses
I think Dakota is an asshat. But I’m watching SLOMW and Taylor is so abusive to everyone and extremely manipulative. The way she screams and cusses at her mom, the way she screams at Dakota, the way she throws a fit and screams at the girls when she thinks they slighted her is immature and ridiculous. She gets in people’s faces like she is actually going to do something physical. I think she gets physical with Dakota because he doesn’t fight back and she knows it. If you watch her arrest video (which we now have seen including her hitting her daughter with a metal chair accidentally or not, not checking on her daughter when she is in pain and crying and then immediately takes it up a notch and starts screaming like a crazy person) she is shocked she is being arrested and asked the cop if she could speak to Dakota because she knows “he wouldn’t want this”.
Taylor acts the way she does because everyone in her life makes excuses for her. She will be broken up with Dakota and says “I’m done with him. I will never, never be with him again”. Then she finds out that single Dakota starts to date and she immediately screams that she is going to “fuck those girls lives up”. She acts like she owns him because she has a baby by him. I can’t stand either of them it’s like who can one up the other. She invites a guy to a house she knows Dakota will be in to set him off then jumps back into bed with him. So Dakota gives it right back and talks to someone he knew she would find out about then jumps back into bed with her. The night before the Bachlorette she says “Dakota is disgusting. I’ll never be with him again” and jumps into bed with him yet again. They both are toxic to each other and Ever deserves 2 stable and sane parents. Taylor acts the way she does because everyone in her life makes excuses for her. I doubt she has ever had to take accountability for the way she acts.
Perfectly worded. 100% spot on.
They both need to stay away from each other. Clearly both become violent with one another, and it’s for the safety of the children to stay away. If both of you are that toxic and “hate” each other so much? Stay away!!! It’s only going to get worse if they continue down this path.