Reality television star Taylor Frankie Paul has been granted supervised visits with her two-year-traditional son, Ever, following a virtual court hearing on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The ruling, overseen by Commissioner Russell Minas in Utah, comes amidst a complex legal battle involving custody disputes and mutual allegations of domestic violence between Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen via Entertainment Weekly.
The hearing took place during a volatile period for the couple, who both appeared on the Hulu series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The legal proceedings on Tuesday were not limited to custody; they coincided with a flurry of protective order filings that paint a starkly different picture of the relationship from both perspectives.
Adding to the tension, Paul filed a temporary protective order against Mortensen in Salt Lake District Court on the same day as the hearing. According to court records and Paul’s attorney, the filing was submitted approximately one hour before the couple appeared before the court via NBC News.
Mutual Allegations of Domestic Violence
The custody arrangement is unfolding against a backdrop of serious accusations. Dakota Mortensen had previously filed a temporary protective order against Paul on March 20, 2026. In his claims, Mortensen alleged that Paul engaged in physical assaults, specifically citing instances of “grabbing, scratching, shoving, and striking” via US Magazine.
A report from the Draper City Police Department, dated March 30, detailed a domestic assault investigation that began on February 23, 2026. This investigation was initiated after a friend of Mortensen reported that Mortensen had been the victim of domestic violence at Paul’s Draper residence. Police records indicate that photos of scratches on Mortensen’s neck were obtained as part of this investigation via US Magazine.
Conversely, the protective order filed by Taylor Frankie Paul on April 7 alleges that Mortensen has engaged in a “pattern of abusive conduct and coercive control.” Her filing detailed four separate incidents during their relationship, including the February 2026 dispute currently being investigated by the Draper City Police Department via NBC News.
Legal Defense and Police Findings
During the Tuesday hearing, Paul’s lawyer, Eric Swinyard, defended his client by claiming that Mortensen is “excellent at escalating and aggravating Taylor” and that her reactions are a direct result of Mortensen “pushing buttons” via NBC News.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Swinyard stated during the proceedings that no charges are expected to be filed against either Paul or Mortensen in Draper City regarding the February 2026 incident via NBC News. While the Draper Police Department investigated an accusation of domestic violence occurring in the presence of a child, they confirmed to media outlets that no charges have been filed related to that specific allegation via US Magazine.
Impact on ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’
The legal turmoil surrounding Paul and Mortensen has extended beyond the courtroom and into their professional lives. The February 2026 incident and the subsequent police investigation had a direct impact on the production of their Hulu reality series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
According to reports, the cast of the reveal unanimously decided to pause the filming of season five following the investigation into the domestic violence incident via NBC News. This decision highlights the significant influence these personal legal battles have had on the ensemble cast and the show’s production timeline.
Timeline of Key Events (2026)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 23 | Draper City Police open domestic assault investigation following an incident at Paul’s residence. |
| March 20 | Dakota Mortensen files a temporary protective order against Taylor Frankie Paul. |
| March 30 | Police reports regarding “scratching” and physical assault allegations become public. |
| April 7 | Paul files a temporary protective order against Mortensen; Judge grants Paul supervised visits with son Ever. |
The current legal status remains fluid, as both parties have now utilized the court system to seek protection from one another. While the judge has permitted supervised visitation to maintain a connection between Paul and her son, the underlying allegations of coercive control and physical assault continue to be processed through the Salt Lake District Court.
As these proceedings continue, the focus remains on the welfare of their two-year-old son and the resolution of the protective orders filed by both parties. Further updates will depend on subsequent court hearings and any potential changes in the status of the Draper City Police Department’s investigations.
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