Dakota Mortensen claimed that Taylor Frankie Paul “grabbed” his neck and throat during a February argument that triggered a domestic violence investigation.
A friend of Mortensen’s called the Draper Police Department on February 23, alleging that Mortensen, 33, was assaulted by Paul, 31. Mortensen’s pal claimed to the 911 dispatcher that his friend was concerned about reporting the incident because of Paul’s “celebrity status.”
The first responder subsequently traveled to meet Mortensen, where he alleged that Paul’s behavior was “manic” after an alleged altercation the night before. The DadTok member claimed that Paul got angry about his possible past relationships when they were in bed with their 2-year-old son, Ever.
According to Mortensen, Paul allegedly attacked him by “grabbing his face and throat” and scratched his neck. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star also reportedly shoved Mortensen into a window once they stood up from the bed.
Mortensen called 911 moments later, claiming that Ever was sick and he wasn’t sure how to help. The police report, however, alleged that Mortensen said Paul talked him out of reporting the alleged assault by lying about Ever’s health.
Mortensen, who left Paul’s house with Ever that night, returned the next day. He told the 911 responder that they were intimate before Paul reportedly got angry again. She allegedly “mounted him, grabbed his throat and screamed in his face.” Mortensen also said that Paul threw his cell phone across the room, which left a hole in the drywall.
Mortensen told police officers that he once again tried to leave but Paul followed him to his car. The report said that Paul allegedly kicked the car’s center console screen, punched the rear-view mirror and hit Mortensen, who apparently “shoved her off,” which caused Paul to hit her head on the console screen.
Mortensen then drove Paul back to her house to drop her off, claiming that he said he planned to call the police.
Us Weekly has reached out for comment.
News broke last month that Draper PD opened an investigation into Paul and Mortensen after their alleged fight in February. Paul categorically denied the accusations weeks later.
“There’s more to the context to everything and it’s unfortunate,” Taylor exclusively told Us in March. “It’s been hard. It sucks to be in this position. And the mother that I am, that is something I will always stand my ground on. I believe that I am a good mother and I have always treated my kids very well.”
Taylor was previously arrested in February 2023 after a separate alleged fight with Mortensen, where she pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault and placed on probation.
Footage from the 2023 incident resurfaced in March, where Taylor was filmed throwing chairs at Mortensen in front of her now-8-year-old daughter, Indy. While Taylor denied the domestic violence accusations, ABC scrapped her planned season of The Bachelorette. (Taylor shares Indy and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul.)
In light of the investigation, Mortensen was granted a temporary protective order against Taylor, which barred the exes from contact and awarded him full custody of Ever. A judge ruled on April 7 that Taylor is allowed weekly supervised visitation with Ever until a separate court hearing later this month.
Us confirmed the next week on Tuesday, April 14, that Draper PD declined to press charges against Taylor.
“Taylor feels like she will bounce back from this, especially now that there won’t be any charges filed against her,” a source exclusively told Us on Friday. “She knows her legal battle is far from over but does feel like she had a small victory.”
The insider further noted that Taylor is “doing really well mentally” and has remained focused on healing and therapy.
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.
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