Taylor Frankie Paul will not face criminal charges for the February 2024 domestic violence incidents involving her ex-partner Dakota Mortensen, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday, citing the statute of limitations.
The decision follows separate investigations by Draper and West Jordan police departments into allegations that Paul attacked Mortensen during two consecutive nights in February, including choking him, throwing objects, and leaving him with visible injuries. Mortensen also alleged Paul prevented him from calling police during the first incident.
Page Six obtained exclusive photos showing Paul with a severely bruised forehead, back, and arm, whereas Mortensen displayed a bloody nose, bruised thigh, and facial scratches. Though, Draper police noted inconsistencies between the neck injuries visible in the photos and those documented by officers at the scene.
The incidents occurred while Paul and Mortensen shared custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever, who was present during the alleged assaults. Mortensen told police the violence erupted after discussions about his past relationships, a detail Paul disputed in her own statement to officers, claiming she only asked him to leave her home.
Despite the lack of criminal charges, the fallout has disrupted Paul’s television career. Hulu paused production on Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives shortly after the allegations surfaced, and ABC canceled her upcoming season of The Bachelorette within hours of a TMZ-leaked video showing Paul throwing barstools at Mortensen with their daughter nearby.
Disney executives held a Zoom call with the Mormon Wives cast on March 20 to address concerns about continuing to film with Paul amid the investigation, a move confirmed by a source close to the situation speaking to The Hollywood Reporter. The cast was told filming would remain paused until Jeff Jenkins Productions concluded its internal review, separate from law enforcement.
Hulu subsequently edited Mortensen out of Season 3 of Vanderpump Villa, though he retained airtime on Alex Cooper’s YouTube reality show. Paul and Mortensen appeared in court on April 7 for the first time since the incidents, tied to an existing order of protection Mortensen had filed against Paul.
As of Tuesday, neither Hulu nor ABC has responded to requests for comment on the future of Paul’s involvement in their programming, leaving the status of Mormon Wives Season 5 and any potential revival of her Bachelorette season unresolved.
Why did prosecutors decline to file charges despite the allegations and evidence?
The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office stated that the incidents occurred outside the statute of limitations for prosecution, meaning too much time had passed under Utah law to pursue criminal charges, regardless of the evidence or police findings.
What is the current status of Taylor Frankie Paul’s television projects?
Production on Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives remains paused pending an internal investigation by Jeff Jenkins Productions, and ABC has not provided updates on the future of Paul’s The Bachelorette season following its cancellation, with neither network commenting on her potential return.
