* Trigger Warning: This story contains descriptions of domestic violence.
Dakota Mortensen claims he’s officially “closing an unhealthy chapter” with his ex and baby mama, Taylor Frankie Paul, while vowing to focus his energy on their two-year-old son, Ever, moving forward.
As you know, TMZ broke the news in March that Taylor and Dakota were involved in an incident in February, during which the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star allegedly choked Dakota, tore his necklace off, and grabbed at his throat while their son was in the room. The alleged incident prompted a domestic assault investigation into the exes, with Taylor and Dakota since releasing photos of the respective injuries they allegedly sustained during incident.
Just days after Taylor– who is currently on probation for a domestic violence charge from 2023, for an incident in which Dakota was also involved– learned that she will not be facing domestic violence charges (which would have likely violated her probation), Dakota took to social media to sound off on the recent controversy.
In his post, Dakota told fans that, “stepping back” from the “chaos” over the last several weeks has been “a breath of fresh air” and has given him clarity. He went on to claim that his focus “is now where it should have been all along– on [his] son and creating a stable, healthy environment for him moving forward.”
“I regret not stepping away from a difficult cycle sooner,” Dakota wrote, referring to his historically toxic relationship with Taylor.
While Dakota went on to take accountability for “[his] part” in the situation and apologize to those who have been hurt, he also told fans he doesn’t agree with how the “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,” he claimed. “I’ve chosen to step away from the spotlight to focus on my family, my growth, and our healing, and that’s where my energy will remain. I’m closing an unhealthy chapter and moving forward with hope for better days ahead.
“I’m grateful for all the encouragement and support I’ve received, and I’m committed to showing up in a way that reflects that,” he continued. “My intention, over time and when appropriate, is to use what I’ve learned in a way that supports others navigating similar situations. For now, my priority is on showing up as the best father I can be for Ever.”
Dakota concluded his post by including contact information for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, while encouraging those who are– or those who know someone who is– experiencing domestic violence to reach out to the organization for help.
Taylor also took to social media on Sunday to share with fans the “ugly parts of what healing actually looks like,” while posting a series of photos in which the mother of three appeared particularly gaunt. While addressing the “public atrocity” she has lived through, Taylor claimed she, “wouldn’t wish this upon [her] worst enemy or even the ones who publicized it.”
As The Ashley previously told you, in addition to the alleged incident in February between Taylor and Dakota, a video of a separate altercation from 2023 was released by TMZ last month, which showed Taylor kicking, hitting and throwing metal barstools at Dakota, with one of the stools hitting one of the two children Taylor shares with ex-husband Tate Paul. (This incident is what led to Taylor being arrested and charged with abeyance to aggravated assault in 2023, after which she was placed on probation that was supposed to end this August.)
While the incident between the exes occurred back in 2023, disturbing video from that night being leaked last month led ABC to cancel Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette, just days before it was set to premiere.
Taylor and Dakota currently have temporary restraining orders in place against each other, as well as a custody agreement that gives Dakota temporary custody of Ever, and Taylor eight hours of supervised visitation each week. The custody agreement will remain in place until the exes’ court hearing later this month.
(Photos: Hulu; Instagram)
3 Responses
The only way to win is to not fight, glad he is stepping back and focusing on his stuff. Hope they both stay single until they learn how to be human adults. Hope he doesnt post for a good long time. Now if only she would do the same.
She is so manipulative. Posting photos of the way she has starved herself into unhealthy weight loss is so so manipulative. It’s all, “pity me and hate Dakota” and the truth is they’ve both made this all messy. It was not just him nor should he be the one to take all the hate. They are both juvenile and wrong if they continue the drama.
Gawd, finally someone who knows what nuance is. They both massively fucked this up, full stop.