‘Bachelorette’ Star Taylor Frankie Paul Accused of Third Domestic Violence Incident by Ex Dakota Mortensen

Taylor Frankie Paul has been accused for a third time of domestic violence by her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. The latest allegations relate to an incident said to have occurred in 2024; the West Jordan, Utah, Police Department is reviewing multiple videos tied to the matter. Specifics of the most recent event and its timing have not been released publicly, and no new criminal charges have been reported. The development arrives amid prior investigations and public scrutiny that have already affected television production schedules tied to Paul.

Key takeaways

  • This is the third police review involving Paul and Dakota Mortensen, with the newest matter described as a 2024 incident under West Jordan Police review.
  • West Jordan police told reporters they are examining multiple videos; investigators have not disclosed formal charges or timestamps from the footage.
  • The pair have a shared child; a separate 2023 videotaped episode showed Paul throwing metal barstools while a child was nearby, footage published by TMZ.
  • Following the 2023 incident Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and, per reporting, remains on probation until August 2026.
  • Disney/ABC unscheduled the premiere of The Bachelorette Season 22, which had completed filming, after the 2023 video surfaced.
  • A separate, earlier investigation in Draper City, Utah, involved mutual allegations by Paul and Mortensen and prompted a production pause on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 5.

Background

The relationship between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen has been subject to repeated public and legal scrutiny since at least 2023. That year’s investigation became widely known through broadcast reporting and later through Season 1 of the Hulu series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which documented the incident in detail. New video material released by TMZ renewed attention and led to corporate programming decisions, including the postponement of a high-profile reality premiere.

Legal outcomes from the 2023 investigation included Paul’s guilty plea to aggravated assault; reporting indicates she remains on probation through August 2026. Meanwhile, a second probe in Draper City involved allegations made by both parties and led producers to pause filming on a later season of the Hulu series. The pattern of repeated allegations has complicated how broadcasters, advertisers and production teams approach completed seasons that have not yet aired.

Main event

The newest allegations — described by reporting as an incident in 2024 — prompted the West Jordan Police Department to examine multiple videos tied to Mortensen’s claims. Authorities have confirmed an active review but have not released incident reports or taken the step of announcing arrests connected to this review. No detailed timeline or description of the alleged event has been made public at this time.

The 2023 episode that drew the first sustained public response involved a video, later amplified by TMZ, that showed Paul throwing metal barstools; a child appears in the footage. That clip played a central role in public and corporate reactions: after it circulated, Paul entered a guilty plea on an aggravated assault count and later faced probation conditions. The video’s publication also caused Disney to delay airing The Bachelorette Season 22, which had already been filmed with Paul as the lead.

Separately, an investigation by Draper City police centered on mutual accusations between Paul and Mortensen and directly affected production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which was paused while investigators looked into those claims. Together the three inquiries reflect a sequence of overlapping legal reviews by multiple jurisdictions in Utah.

Analysis & implications

For broadcasters and producers, the recurrence of allegations presents a complex risk calculation. Networks must weigh contractual obligations, advertiser exposure, and audience sentiment against the legal presumption of innocence and the potential for further evidence to emerge. The unscheduling of a completed Bachelorette season illustrates how reputational and commercial considerations can override production sunk costs.

Legally, repeated investigations across jurisdictions can prolong media attention and delay resolution. Probation status from prior convictions — in this case, Paul’s probation through August 2026 after a 2023 guilty plea — may affect prosecutorial decisions and sentencing options should new charges be filed. Investigators reviewing video evidence will consider chain-of-custody and corroborating statements before moving to formal charges.

Socially, high-profile domestic-violence allegations attract advocacy groups and public debate about how the entertainment industry handles accused figures. The case may influence internal policies at networks around vetting, background checks, and contingency planning for talent embroiled in legal or credibility crises. Advertisers and partners often pressure programmers for swift, visible action; how companies respond can shape public perception and future talent relations.

Comparison & data

Investigation Year Jurisdiction Public status
First documented incident 2023 Utah (reported in series/Hulu) Video circulated; guilty plea; probation
Second investigation 2023–2024 Draper City, Utah Mutual allegations; production pause
Third review (most recent) 2024 West Jordan, Utah Police reviewing multiple videos; no public charges

The table summarizes the three known probes involving Paul and Mortensen. While the first led to a guilty plea and probation, subsequent inquiries remain at varying stages of review. The lack of public charging decisions in the most recent review means official legal outcomes are unresolved; investigators’ determinations about video evidence will be pivotal.

Reactions & quotes

Paul’s public relations team issued a statement emphasizing safety and alleging long-term abuse; the excerpt below represents the spokesperson’s framing and has been widely circulated by outlets covering the matter.

“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,”

Spokesperson for Taylor Frankie Paul

Law enforcement sources have described the procedural posture in concise terms when speaking to reporters; the extract below reflects the department’s acknowledged activity.

“We are reviewing multiple videos related to an open investigation,”

West Jordan Police Department (statement to media)

Public reaction has been mixed, spanning calls for due process from some viewers and renewed support for survivors from others; community response has also driven programming and distribution decisions at multiple networks.

Unconfirmed

  • Exact date, time and specific circumstances of the 2024 incident under West Jordan review have not been released publicly.
  • Whether the most recent review will produce formal charges or result in an arrest is not known.
  • It is unconfirmed if or when ABC/Disney will make any permanent programming decision regarding The Bachelorette Season 22 beyond the initial unscheduling.

Bottom line

The emergence of a third investigation into allegations by Dakota Mortensen keeps this situation in active flux: legal, commercial and reputational threads remain unresolved. For now, the decisive elements will be evidence quality — notably the videos under review — and whether prosecutors elect to file new charges.

Audiences, advertisers and producers should expect ongoing developments; networks will continue to balance contractual, ethical and public-relations pressures as investigators pursue potential leads. Observers seeking closure should watch for official police filings, prosecutor announcements, or verified statements from the parties involved.

Sources

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