Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen Granted Mutual Protective Orders

Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen, from the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, were granted mutual protective orders regarding the custody of their two-year-old son, Ever True, on April 30. Commissioner Russell Minas told the court that the former couple cannot be in the same room “before it turns violent.” “There seems to be a continuing attraction that they have for each other. Whether it’s physical, whether it’s the thrill of the two of them being a part of making themselves celebrities, there seems to be this attraction,” He explained. “I’m finding that there’s been violence both ways between these parties.” Minas reminded the couple that they are “linked” together for the rest of their lives and hoped they could find a way to co-parent peacefully. “I’m hoping you’re not just people who thrive on the drama and the conflict,” he stated, possibly referencing the fact they’re both on reality tv. “You guys have to figure out a lot here. You have to figure out how to function as coparents. This is dysfunctional.” The judge concluded that the best thing for the two would be together around their child.

“Taylor was incredibly candid with the Court that she is not perfect and owned her faults, which is in direct contrast to how the other party presented their argument, despite evidence and input from law enforcement that showed otherwise,” Paul’s attorney Eric M. Swinyard shared in a statement. “Taylor feels solidarity with the many survivors who have endured similar hardships behind closed doors and shared only part of their stories, and she remains grateful for the outpouring of support she continues to receive. She looks forward to continuing to cooperate with the Court to make progress in the custody case.” 

Mortensen’s domestic violence charges against Paul were dropped last month. “The remaining incidents lack sufficient evidence to support filing criminal charges where the state must be able to prove such allegations beyond a reasonable date,” the DA’s office said at the time. “Such incidents lack specificity as to when and what actually occurred or corroboration.” Their next court hearing is on June 1.