Taylor Frankie Paul: Taylor Frankie Paul files restraining order against Dakota Mortensen amid ongoing legal dispute
Custody hearing reveals supervised visitation order
Tuesday’s hearing was held to evaluate custody arrangements for Paul and Mortensen’s son after Mortensen previously filed a protective order against police. The Secret Lives of Mormon Women Star last month, according to court proceedings.
Paul filed his own protective order against Mortensen less than an hour before the hearing was set to begin.
After a tense one-hour virtual hearing in which both sides appeared remotely, the judge recommended that Paul receive a total of eight hours of supervised visitation per week with his son. The temporary custody arrangement will remain active until the next hearing on April 30, when the court will reconsider Paul’s request for a protective order.
February incident triggered legal debate
Both restraining orders stemmed from a domestic incident that allegedly occurred on Feb. 23 and 24, in which each party accused the other of violence, according to affidavits and testimony filed in court. This incident also led to the start of production on the show’s fifth season. SLOWThe Hulu reality series that brought Paul public recognition has been suspended pending an active police investigation.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Paul’s attorney, Eric Swinyard, revealed new information about the case and described the shooting as a “truck fight.” He told the court the two met late at night at Paul’s home in Draper, Utah, and the conversation moved to his truck while Mortensen’s children were home.
The argument escalated further, according to Swinyard, and Mortensen allegedly drove off with Paul still inside the vehicle. He also claimed that Mortensen slammed Paul’s head into the dashboard, causing injuries to his knee and forehead.
Conflicting legal claims of both parties
Mortensen’s legal representatives disputed Paul’s version of events, arguing that Paul’s actions created safety concerns for himself and the children. Their attorneys stated that supervised visitation was necessary, explaining that it was “appropriate for safety, given the domestic violence situation.”
Mortensen’s lawyer, Daniela Diaz, also stated that Paul’s behavior created difficulties and that he was “completely reckless in his behavior towards children” during emotional events. Paul’s attorneys countered that the child was safe in his care and noted that Mortensen had previously agreed to the joint custody arrangement without raising any objections. “Dakota is pushing the buttons, she’s excellent at it,” Swinyard said, noting that reliability must be evaluated carefully, adding, “As long as these people stay separate… then there’s no risk to the child.”
Competing restraining orders and custody cases fuel conflict
According to documents obtained by People and TMZ, Mortensen was initially granted temporary custody after a protection order was granted on March 19. Two weeks later, Paul filed his own restraining order on April 7, citing a “pattern of abusive behavior and coercive control” between them.
He also said Mortensen’s application was an “effort to sabotage” his profession and asked the court to also provide protection for his toddlers. His application comes ahead of a hearing scheduled for April 7 after Mortensen was taken into temporary custody on March 20.
Mortensen’s counterclaims and police allegations
Mortensen’s March 19 filing included his own statement, alleging that he was physically assaulted during an argument at Paul’s home. She claimed she contacted 911 but said Paul “pressured and manipulated” her into hanging up. She also claimed he threw her phone against the wall the next night and then followed her outside and attacked her.
“I was unable to leave safely while this was happening,” Mortensen said in court documents obtained by TMZ, adding that he pushed himself in self-defense and made contact with the passenger seat.
The case continues until the April hearing
The court will reconsider custody arrangements and restraining order petitions at the hearing on April 30. Currently, Paul’s supervised visitation remains in effect as legal proceedings between the former couple continue under court supervision.
FAQ:
Q1. What is the case about?
The case involves a custody dispute and restraining orders between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen. Both sides accused each other of domestic conflicts.
Q2. Who is involved in the custody battle?
The dispute is between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen. This is about their two-year-old son, Ever True.
