Dakota Mortensen alleged Taylor Frankie Paul scratched and struck him during a February domestic dispute amid investigation
Dakota Mortensen accused Taylor Frankie Paul of “scratching” him and physically assaulting him during their most-recent domestic dispute as new details continue to come to light. According to a report from the Draper City Police Department in Utah, obtained by Us Weekly on Monday, March 30, police opened a domestic assault investigation involving the former couple, who starred on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives together, on February 23.
The investigation began after authorities were called by Dakota’s friend, who reported to the police that Dakota, 33, was “the victim of a domestic violence assault by an ex-girlfriend at her Draper residence.' Dakota later spoke with the police himself, claiming in the report that there were 'two incidents of physical assault involving 'grabbing, scratching, shoving, and striking’” at the hands of Taylor, 31. Dakota alleged in the report that he was “apprehensive' to come forward with the incidents due to Taylor’s 'high public profile.' The filing noted that police obtained photos of Dakota’s “neck scratches,” which he alleged were from an altercation with his ex-girlfriend, with whom he shares son Ever, 2. According to the report, the authorities were investigating an additional accusation of domestic violence in the presence of a child. Police did not specify who the accused was in the situation, but Draper PD told People on Monday that no charges have been filed related to that allegation.Taylor and Dakota’s alleged February domestic violence dispute has been making headlines for weeks after news broke on March 16 that the incident reportedly led to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives halting production on season 5 of the Hulu series. “The Mormon Wives cast honestly terrified to film with Taylor right now,” a source exclusively told Us at the time, noting that production is “shut down” at the moment and “the women have made it clear they don’t want to be around her because they see her as a major liability.” A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to Us that same day that there is an open “domestic assault investigation” involving the pair. Authorities added that “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties.” As police worked to untangle what transpired between the on-again, off-again couple, a video from a 2023 domestic dispute between Taylor and Dakota resurfaced. In the video, Taylor can be seen throwing chairs at Dakota as her daughter, Indy, 8, is heard crying. The resurfaced video was from a prior case, which resulted in Taylor’s subsequent arrest. At the time, the reality star pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault as part of a plea deal to dismiss the remaining charges. ABC cancelled season 22 of The Bachelorette — which was set to air with Taylor as the lead on March 22 — in the wake of the video backlash. “Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” a rep for Taylor told Us following the cancellation. “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 also released a statement after the 2023 video made its rounds online, telling Us, “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.” Dakota then 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 Thursday, March 26, that after a 'thorough investigation” by the Draper Police Department, the city prosecutor had “carefully reviewed the case and conducted additional interviews” and 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 on Thursday, “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.” Amid the investigation into the pair’s February dispute, news broke that Dakota had reported a third alleged domestic abuse incident involving Taylor to Utah’s West Jordan Police Department. The alleged dispute took place in 2024 and was reported around the same time that Dakota spoke with the Draper Police Department. Authorities pointed him to the West Jordan Police Department as the altercation allegedly took place in their jurisdiction, according to NBC News. 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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