Taylor Frankie Paul, the 31-year-old star of Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, took to Instagram on Thursday, April 9, to express her deep appreciation for the outpouring of support amid a recent domestic dispute with her ex, Dakota Mortensen, and their ongoing custody battle over their 2-year-old son, Ever.
In a heartfelt post, Paul wrote, “Just want to say THANK YOU to those that have all helped carry.” She elaborated, “Nothing but gratitude for these gifts given by different people at different times that have been essential for me through this specific time.” Paul continued, thanking supporters for “every message, meal, gift, call, prayer, and support of any kind sent,” adding, “There is the human side of this and then it gets to a point of it being miraculous when you start to see it from a bigger lens🙏🏼.” Accompanying a photo of herself, she captioned, “It’s miraculous that every essential or reminder I’ve needed was GIVEN through people.” The post comes at a challenging time for Paul, who shares Ever with Mortensen, 33, and has two other children—daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5—from her previous marriage to ex-husband Tate Paul.
The latest incident between Paul and Mortensen made headlines in March when production on season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was paused following a domestic dispute. According to reports from Us Weekly, the altercation prompted immediate concerns about the safety and well-being of those involved, leading to the temporary halt in filming. Paul is currently serving probation stemming from a 2023 arrest related to a separate physical incident with Mortensen.
In that earlier case, Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault as part of a plea deal that dismissed additional charges, including domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury, and criminal mischief. Leaked footage from the 2023 altercation, which surfaced publicly, showed Paul throwing multiple chairs at Mortensen, with one appearing to strike their daughter. The incident drew widespread attention and had significant professional repercussions for Paul.
Following the 2023 event, ABC announced the cancellation of Paul's upcoming season of The Bachelorette. A representative for Paul told Us Weekly at the time, “Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.” The statement continued, “Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support and preparing to own and share her story.” This marked a pivotal moment in Paul's public life, shifting focus from her reality TV aspirations to personal and legal challenges.
The relationship between Paul and Mortensen has been tumultuous, with multiple breakups and reconciliations documented in media reports. They share a complex history that includes periods of cohabitation and separation, particularly as Paul navigated her divorce from Tate Paul and her rising profile in the reality TV world. Sources close to the situation have described their dynamic as volatile, with recurring issues around possession and control.
Escalating tensions appear to have reached a boiling point recently. On Tuesday, April 7, Us Weekly confirmed that Paul had filed for a temporary protection order against Mortensen. In her filing, Paul alleged that Mortensen had exhibited “increasingly possessive” behavior in the lead-up to the airing of her season on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and her potential Bachelorette appearance. Among the specific accusations, Paul claimed that Mortensen tattooed her initials, “TFP,” inside his mouth on Valentine’s Day in February.
“Considering his increasingly possessive and erratic behavior, and considering the fact that we were not in a relationship, this was extremely alarming,” Paul wrote in the filing. She added, “My initials are now permanently tattooed on the body of a man who has been abusive toward and possessive of me.” These details paint a picture of a relationship marked by what Paul describes as controlling actions, though Mortensen has not publicly responded to these specific claims in available reports.
Mortensen, for his part, had previously sought legal protection. In March, he was granted a temporary protective order against Paul, which also awarded him temporary custody of Ever. This order came shortly after the domestic dispute that paused production on the Hulu series, highlighting the mutual accusations of concern for the child's welfare amid the parents' conflicts.
The couple appeared virtually in court on Tuesday, April 7, to address visitation rights for Ever. During the hearing, the judge granted Paul supervised visitation with her son for eight hours per week, to continue until a full protective order hearing scheduled for April 30. At that time, Paul's parenting restrictions will be reevaluated based on further evidence and arguments presented.
The judge specified that the supervised visits must be facilitated by a neutral third party. Other arrangements were discussed, provided both Paul and Mortensen could agree on the individuals involved, and those parties consented to being under the court's jurisdiction. This ruling aims to balance Paul's parental rights with safeguards for the child's safety, according to court documents reviewed by Us Weekly.
Paul's Instagram post on April 9 seems to reflect on the broader support network that has emerged during this period. Beyond immediate family and friends, she has received messages and assistance from fans and acquaintances, which she credits with helping her through “this specific time.” The gratitude expressed underscores the personal toll of the legal battles and public scrutiny, even as she prepares for the upcoming hearing.
The custody dispute is part of a larger narrative surrounding Paul's life in the public eye. As a cast member of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which explores the lives of women in a Mormon influencer circle, Paul has often shared aspects of her personal struggles, including her divorce and relationships. The show's production pause in March adds another layer, potentially delaying new episodes and affecting her career trajectory.
Legal experts not directly involved in the case have noted that such protection orders and custody evaluations are common in high-conflict separations, especially when domestic incidents are alleged on both sides. While Paul maintains she is focusing on her family's security, Mortensen's temporary custody arrangement suggests his perspective on the risks involved. Neither party has issued further public statements beyond the court filings and Paul's social media update.
Looking ahead, the April 30 hearing could determine more permanent arrangements for Ever's care and any ongoing restrictions between his parents. For Paul, who has described the support as “miraculous,” the coming weeks will likely involve continued navigation of legal proceedings, media attention, and efforts to rebuild stability for her children. As the situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by public figures dealing with private family matters under intense scrutiny.