Finally, Taylor Frankie Paul has spoken out about the recent drama and openly criticized ABC.
On March 26, the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star posted a since-deleted photo to her Instagram Stories. Seemingly shot from the passenger seat of a car, the picture of the sun shining over a mountain landscape was accompanied by the message “Thank you to every check in, call, prayer sent. Your unconditional kindness and check in can be someone’s life line.”
Credit: Taylor Frankie Paul/Instagram
A second Stories post, which has also been deleted, combined a picture of an open notebook and a bouquet of flowers with the text “Ending every single night with gratitude even if it’s just ONE glimmer.”
Paul’s posts come amid an investigation into domestic abuse allegations involving her and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, which have led to ABC pulling Paul’s season of The Bachelorette from its schedule and a production pause on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives‘ fifth season. A source close to the matter told EW that the alleged incident between Paul and Mortensen did not occur while the Hulu series’ cameras were rolling.
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The Draper City Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE on March 16 that they opened a “domestic assault investigation” involving the former couple after allegations “have been made in both directions.” Officers were in contact with Paul and Mortensen on Feb. 24 and 25.
Credit: ABC
Paul is also under investigation for an additional alleged incident that occurred in 2024. Mortensen reported that incident to police in West Jordan, Utah, last month.
“The West Jordan Police Department is currently investigating an incident involving Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen. The allegations were reported at the end of February 2026, and detectives have reviewed video believed to have been recorded in early to mid-2024,” the police told Entertainment Weekly in a statement.
“Investigators are actively working to gather and verify information and are in the process of interviewing those involved. At this time, no charges have been filed, as the investigation remains ongoing.”
The police added, “We recognize there is significant public interest in this case; however, it is being handled in the same manner as any other investigation. Our procedures and standards are applied consistently and without exception.”
Paul was previously arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in 2023 following an argument with Mortensen. She was charged with aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child and child abuse. Paul ultimately pled guilty to aggravated assault and the other charges were dropped. She is on probation until August.
After Paul was seen throwing metal chairs in a video of the 2023 altercation that was leaked by TMZ on March 19, ABC decided to shelve her season of The Bachelorette. It had been set to premiere March 22.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” a rep for Paul said in a statement to EW. “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.”
Credit: Disney
Paul reacted in a separate statement via her rep after the 2023 video leaked. “It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child,” the statement read.
“Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show, and from their own experiences.”
Paul and Mortensen are due in court on April 7.




