Influencer Taylor Frankie Paul has been granted supervised visitation rights with her two-year-old son, following a recent court ruling that modifies a temporary protective order. The decision comes after her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, was awarded temporary custody of their child over two weeks ago.
During an April 7 hearing, a judge amended the existing order to allow Paul up to eight hours of supervised parent time per week, which may be divided into two- or three-hour sessions. This arrangement will remain in effect until the next scheduled hearing on April 30.
The legal dispute stems from a protective order filed by Mortensen on March 19, coinciding with the release of a video showing a physical altercation between the couple in 2023. In the footage, Paul is seen throwing a chair while a child cries in the background. The initial order prohibited Paul from having any contact with their son until the recent court appearance.
Mortensen's filing alleges two incidents of physical abuse in February, claiming Paul choked him, shoved him into a window, and threatened self-harm during one argument. He stated that her actions disturbed their sleeping son and that he left with the child for safety reasons. The following night, he accused her of throwing his phone, blocking his exit, grabbing his face, throwing a drink on him, and damaging his car.
"I am genuinely concerned for my safety and the safety and well-being of my child," Mortensen stated in court documents.
Prior to the April 7 hearing, Paul filed her own temporary restraining order request against Mortensen, alleging a "pattern of abusive conduct and coercive control" during their relationship from 2022 to 2025. She has asked the court to include their son under this protective order, with a hearing scheduled for April 30.
The custody battle has unfolded alongside other professional consequences for Paul. ABC shelved her season of The Bachelorette before its premiere. In response, her representative stated she was "grateful" for the network's support as she "prioritizes her family's safety and security."
"After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation," the statement continued, "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."
Mortensen described the situation as "deeply upsetting" in a March 19 statement, saying, "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."
Authorities in Utah are currently investigating a separate alleged domestic violence incident from 2024 involving both parties, according to local police. This investigation is distinct from the 2023 video incident and the February allegations.
Paul's legal history includes a 2023 arrest following a confrontation with Mortensen, during which she was accused of throwing objects at him while a child was present. She later pleaded guilty to a felony count of aggravated assault, with the charge to be reduced to a misdemeanor after three years if she complies with her plea agreement terms, which include substance abuse and domestic violence evaluations and treatment.