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In a recent development, Dakota Mortensen has successfully secured a temporary restraining order against his former partner, Taylor Frankie Paul, citing concerns for his immediate physical safety. This information, exclusively revealed by the Daily Mail, highlights the ongoing legal drama unfolding in Utah.
On Friday morning, authorities in Salt Lake City granted the restraining order, which prohibits the 31-year-old Paul from contacting Mortensen, who is 33, or their two-year-old son, Ever. This legal measure will remain in effect until a court hearing set for April 7.
The order imposes strict limitations on Paul, barring her from engaging in activities such as stalking or threatening Mortensen. Additionally, she is forbidden from any form of communication with him, including emails, underscoring the serious nature of the allegations.
Tensions between the couple, who have had a tumultuous on-and-off relationship, came to a head when a video surfaced online. The footage, from an incident in 2023, depicts a visibly intoxicated Paul attempting to put Mortensen in a headlock and later assaulting him with a metal barstool.
In it, a drunken Paul is seen trying to force Mortensen into a headlock before attacking him with a metal barstool.
Her daughter Indy, eight, is also seen in the harrowing clip and can be heard sobbing while curled up on the sofa.
Dakota Mortensen was granted a temporary restraining order against ex Taylor Frankie PaulÂ
A police report of the incident revealed that the child – then aged five – was hit during the altercation and had ‘a goose egg on her head’ as a result.
The previously unseen clip formed part of a felony prosecution for aggravated assault against Paul, and she subsequently struck a plea deal and was handed three years’ probation which expires in August.
Four other charges, including domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse, and criminal mischief, were dropped as part of the deal.
The video, which was first published by TMZ, has sparked a backlash and saw Paul’s season of the Bachelorette canned just three days before it was due to air.
In a statement, Disney executives blamed the decision on the clip and said their focus was on ‘supporting the family’.
The statement said: ‘In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.’
Mortensen filed for a protective order in Utah, citing a new alleged incident that took place in February 2026, just two days before the video of the violent incident was made public
Although the copyright is 2024, this mugshot has emerged showing the reality TV star posing for a police camera after she was arrested in February 2023
The bombshell decision to can the show could cost ABC up to $28m, with filming costs for The Bachelorette totting up to $2m per episode.
Filming has also been halted on Paul’s other TV project – the fifth series of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives – after cast members reportedly told Hulu executives that they didn’t feel comfortable continuing to work with Paul.
In a statement released to the Daily Mail after the video surfaced, Paul claimed she had been the victim of abuse at Mortensen’s hand and said ‘there are too many women suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives’.
It continued: ‘Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.
‘After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.
‘There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives.
‘Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming.Â
‘She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.’
Mortensen, meanwhile, hit out in a statement to Entertainment Weekly in which he said his priority was the warring former couple’s toddler son.
A representative told the outlet: ‘His number one priority here is protecting their son, Ever. He knew there was a possibility it could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor.
‘It’s been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well.’
The spokesman added: ‘He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away. He’s never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side.
‘He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can’t do that.’
Paul and Mortensen have been in an off-on relationship since 2022 when the 31-year-old shot to public consciousness as part of a ‘soft swinging’ scandal that saw her admit to cheating on then husband Tate Paul.
The exes, who have a daughter and a son together, subsequently divorced.