Taylor Frankie Paul won’t face charges in domestic violence cases

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Prosecutors Drop Charges Over Incidents Outside Legal Timeframe
• February Incidents Triggered Separate Police Investigations and Allegations
• Timeline and Court Developments Shape Custody and Legal Battles
• Path to This Case Includes 2023 Arrest and Reality TV Controversy
• What Does This Decision Mean for Taylor Frankie Paul’s Future and the Reality Star?
  • Sources

Taylor Frankie Paul won’t face criminal charges following a pair of domestic violence investigations into alleged altercations with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office declined prosecution on April 14, 2026. The 31-year-old reality star now navigates custody battles and protective orders.

Prosecutors Drop Charges Over Incidents Outside Legal Timeframe

The Salt Lake County District Attorney determined that charges would not be filed based on two primary factors. Multiple alleged incidents occurred more than two years ago, meaning they fall outside the statute of limitations for prosecution. The district attorney stated that other alleged incidents lacked “sufficient evidence to support filing criminal charges.” Paul’s probation status will remain unaffected by this decision stemming from her 2023 arrest.

Two Utah police departments, the Draper City Police and West Jordan Police, had independently opened investigations after allegations surfaced in late February 2026. According to the Draper police report, a friend of Mortensen called on February 23 reporting that his client had been a domestic violence victim. Police documented photographs of Mortensen’s neck scratches as evidence.

February Incidents Triggered Separate Police Investigations and Allegations

Mortensen described two incidents involving grabbing, scratching, shoving, and striking that allegedly occurred at Paul’s Draper residence. He initially hesitated to report the matters due to Paul’s “high public profile” as a reality TV personality. The West Jordan Police Department confirmed a separate active domestic violence case after Mortensen contacted them late February and provided a video he believed dated to early-to-mid 2024.

Meanwhile, Taylor Frankie Paul has alleged that Dakota behaved violently toward her. In court filings made in April 2026, Paul included a photograph of bruising on her forehead. She described a separate February encounter where Mortensen allegedly struck her in his vehicle. Both parties filed competing protective orders against each other.

Timeline and Court Developments Shape Custody and Legal Battles

Date	Event
February 23-25, 2026	Alleged altercations occur; Mortensen contacts police
March 16, 2026	Draper City Police confirm open domestic assault investigation
March 19, 2026	Mortensen files protective order against Paul
April 7, 2026	Paul files her own protective order; judge awards Mortensen custody
April 14, 2026	DA declines to press charges; charges decision announced

A judge granted Mortensen custody of their 2-year-old son Ever during an April 7 hearing, allowing Paul up to 8 hours per week of supervised visitation. The arrangement remains in effect until an April 30 hearing where the judge will review their competing protective orders. Both parties claim abuse in court filings, creating a complex legal situation.

“The district attorney’s office said multiple attorneys reviewed the case and determined that several of the alleged incidents investigated by police took place more than two years ago.”

— People Magazine Statement, April 14, 2026

Path to This Case Includes 2023 Arrest and Reality TV Controversy

Taylor Frankie Paul had previously been arrested in 2023 for an alleged domestic violence incident with Mortensen. She was accused of throwing metal chairs at him while her then-5-year-old daughter was present. However, Paul pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault and other charges were dropped. In that earlier case, she had been ordered to complete a parenting course.

The saga intensified when leaked video footage surfaced in March 2026 showing the 2023 incident. The video depicted Paul yelling, placing Mortensen in a headlock, and throwing chairs while a child could be heard crying. Hours after the video’s release, ABC canceled Season 1 of Paul’s Bachelorette season, which was scheduled to premiere. The network did not air the already-filmed episodes.

What Does This Decision Mean for Taylor Frankie Paul’s Future and the Reality Star?

The prosecutor’s decision marks a significant development in Paul’s complicated legal journey. She maintains that her representation was incomplete and that context has been omitted from public narratives. Her legal team presented evidence in custody hearings to counter Mortensen’s claims while simultaneously facing substantial career consequences from the domestic violence scrutiny.

Cast members of Paul’s Hulu series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” refused to film with her after the March revelations. Multiple sources indicated the women “banded together” and did not want to work with Paul, citing growing exhaustion with the controversy. The network has not resumed production on future seasons involving her participation. Will this legal clearing help Paul rebuild her public image after months of turmoil?

Sources

• People Magazine – Exclusive reporting on prosecutor decision and court filings from April 14, 2026
• The New York Times – Arts and television coverage of charges decision and abuse allegations
• USA Today – Entertainment news covering domestic violence investigation outcomes and custody developments