Trigger Warning: This article contains a discussion of domestic violence allegations.
While The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives remains in limbo, Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen’s custody battle is heating up.
Last month, Dakota filed a protective order against his ex and was granted temporary custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever. However, Taylor followed up with a protective order of her own.
The exes had a court hearing this week to address the lingering custody arrangement, and little progress was made. The judge presiding over the case said he felt concerns about both parents, as domestic violence accusations continue swirling.
The axed Bachelorette was granted supervised visitation
The embattled exes had a court hearing on Tuesday, April 7, and People reviewed the court documents. When trying to determine the best path forward for Taylor, Dakota, and Ever, the presiding judge admitted to having “concerns both ways.”
Of course, Dakota first accused Taylor of domestic violence in 2023. The videos of their altercation went public, which resulted in ABC pulling her season of The Bachelorette. Multiple other domestic violence accusations remain under investigation.
Meanwhile, Taylor hit back with claims of her own. In a protective order, also filed on April 7, she claimed to have suffered a “high number of instances of abuse and domestic violence.”
The competing accusations made it difficult for the judge to determine the best path forward. However, he ultimately ruled that the best course of action would be for Ever to remain in Dakota’s custody. Taylor has up to eight hours a week of supervised visitation.
This new arrangement will remain in effect until April 30, when the exes are due back in court. By then, the judge hopes to have confirmation on whether or not Taylor and Dakota will face criminal charges for the domestic violence allegations.
In the meantime, Taylor has promised to set the record straight about her co-parenting dynamic with Dakota. In a statement issued to the court, she insisted that Dakota’s domestic violence accusations were false.
According to her, his accusations are an attempt to “sabotage” her career. She said her evidence will show the court that Dakota has been the primary aggressor this whole time.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is streaming on Hulu.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
TELL US – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE LATEST UPDATES IN TAYLOR AND DAKOTA’S CASE? WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN AT THE NEXT HEARING?
