Taylor Frankie Paul Claims Dakota Mortensen Wanted Sex After Newly Alleged Domestic Violence Incident

Taylor Frankie Paul is bolstering her defense against Dakota Mortensen amid their ongoing custody battle following an alleged domestic dispute earlier this year. Taylor, 31, claimed that Dakota, 33, sent her a “request for sex” following their alleged February domestic violence altercation, according to an exhibit filed in court on Tuesday, April 7, seen by Us Weekly. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star alleged in the filing that she has a “screenshot” of the exchange, dated after she and Dakota were allegedly involved in a domestic abuse dispute.

Taylor filed additional exhibits with the court on Tuesday, including pictures of “bruising” on her forehead and knee she claims she sustained during the alleged assault. She also filed "possessive texts” from Dakota, dated February 16 — one week prior to the exes’ alleged February 23 domestic dispute. Taylor’s legal team also submitted exhibits of “additional possessive texts from Dakota” with the court.

One day prior, Taylor filed two exhibits with the court of a “certificate of completion of parenting class” as she and Dakota prepare to face off in a hybrid hearing later on Tuesday to determine parenting time provisions — a.k.a. visitation rights — for their 2-year-old son, Ever.

Us Weekly reached out to representatives for Taylor and Dakota, as well as Taylor’s legal team, for comment. Dakota’s legal team had no comment on the latest court filings. Exes Taylor and Dakota have been embroiled in several messy legal disputes after news broke in March that they were allegedly involved in a domestic violence incident one month prior in their home state of Utah.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives halted production on season 5 of the hit Hulu reality TV series in the wake of the allegations. At the time, a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to Us that there is an open “domestic assault investigation” involving the pair on February 23. Authorities added that “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties.”

In the filing, Dakota claimed that there were “two incidents of physical assault involving ‘grabbing, scratching, shoving, and striking’” at the hands of Taylor. Taylor has denied Dakota’s claims. As the police investigate the latest allegations, a video of Taylor and Dakota from a 2023 domestic incident resurfaced.

The video showed Taylor physically assaulting and throwing chairs at Dakota in the presence of her daughter, who could be heard crying in the background. (Taylor also shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul.) Taylor was subsequently arrested and charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief. She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in exchange for the other charges to be dropped.

Shortly after the video’s release, ABC announced in March that it was cancelling Taylor’s season 22 of The Bachelorette.

“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” a rep for Taylor told Us in a statement on March 19.

“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.” The statement continued, “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.

She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support and preparing to own and share her story.” Dakota issued his own statement after the resurfaced video went viral, saying, “As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny.

I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.” Amid the drama, Dakota filed for a temporary restraining order against Taylor and requested temporary sole custody of their son, both of which were granted on March 20.

Us confirmed on March 26, that following a “thorough investigation” by the Draper Police Department, the city prosecutor had “carefully reviewed the case and conducted additional interviews.” Authorities determined that the February case between Taylor and Dakota was ready to be submitted to the Salt Lake City district attorney’s office “for screening.” Chief Rich Ferguson of the Draper Police Department announced at the time, “The district attorney’s office will determine if any charges will be filed.

If the district attorney’s office declines to file charges, the city prosecutor will evaluate any further action available based on that determination.” That same month, news broke that there was a third alleged domestic violence altercation between Dakota and Taylor that transpired in 2024. Dakota reported the alleged incident to the West Jordan Police Department shortly after his and Taylor’s alleged February altercation.

“The last 40 days felt like hell on earth,” Taylor confessed via Instagram on Sunday, April 5.

“Through every panic attack I prayed for strength as I could feel my body breaking down and out from the distress of it all.” If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.