Bachelorette Star's Legal Troubles Deepen as Prosecutors Review Case
Former reality television personality Taylor Frankie Paul finds herself in renewed legal jeopardy as authorities consider filing additional domestic violence charges against her. The Draper Police Department in Utah has formally submitted a case to the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office regarding an alleged February incident involving Paul's ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
Prosecutorial Decision Pending
According to Draper Police Chief Rich Ferguson, who spoke with TMZ on Thursday, the decision now rests with Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill regarding whether to pursue charges against the 27-year-old former Bachelorette star. The case centers on allegations made by Mortensen, who has filed for a protective order citing a domestic violence incident that reportedly occurred in February.
Even if the district attorney declines to file charges, Paul remains vulnerable legally. Chief Ferguson indicated that the city prosecutor could still choose to advance the case independently, creating multiple potential legal pathways for prosecution.
Previous Conviction Complicates Situation
Paul's position is particularly precarious due to her existing legal status. She remains on probation following a 2023 incident where she pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault. That plea arrangement resulted in four other charges being dropped with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled, but leaves her vulnerable to consequences for any new allegations.
Mortensen's allegations describe a February altercation at Paul's home where their two-year-old son, Ever, was present. According to the filing, a verbal argument escalated into physical confrontation, with Mortensen claiming Paul choked him before shoving him into a window and striking him.
New Bodycam Footage Emerges
The latest developments coincide with the release of previously unseen police body-worn camera footage from Paul's 2023 arrest. The video, obtained by TMZ, shows an intoxicated Paul arguing with officers on her front porch while slurring her words.
In the footage, Paul appears agitated and interrupts police interviews, eventually marching into her home where Mortensen was speaking with another officer. "You're upset, I'm upset. Get out of my house," she tells Mortensen wearily during the encounter.
The video captures Paul calling her father for assistance while claiming Mortensen had pushed her in the garage. Officers repeatedly urge her to calm down and lower her voice to avoid waking her children, who were sleeping nearby.
Background of Previous Incident
Paul's 2023 arrest occurred after she admitted to throwing metal chairs at Mortensen during an argument. The situation escalated when one chair accidentally struck her five-year-old daughter, Indy, in the head. This led to upgraded charges including felony aggravated assault, reckless child abuse, and domestic violence in the presence of a child.
Bodycam footage from that night shows Paul telling officers she "went ballistic" after Mortensen refused to take her to a concert because she was intoxicated. She admitted to throwing items at him because she felt scared, though she also claimed he had pushed her first.
Co-Parenting Concerns Raised
In a statement from Mortensen's representative, the ex-boyfriend's primary concern was identified as protecting their son, Ever. "[Mortensen] knew there was a possibility [the alleged domestic assault] could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor," the statement explained.
The representative added that while achieving a good co-parenting relationship has been challenging, Mortensen remains committed to making it work for their child's sake.
Current Legal Status
Paul currently faces multiple charges from the 2023 incident, including two counts of third-degree felony domestic violence in the presence of a child with injury, Class A misdemeanor child abuse with injury, and Class B misdemeanor criminal mischief. If convicted on all counts, she could face up to five years in state prison for each felony charge.
The former TikTok influencer, who gained fame sharing content about her daily life and children before shocking fans with revelations about her divorce and "soft swinging" experiences, is next due in court on April 14 for the 2023 charges while awaiting a decision on potential new charges from the February incident.
