Reality TV personality Taylor Frankie Paul has publicly thanked her supporters as she navigates a contentious custody battle with her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen.
In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on April 10, the 31-year-old star of "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" expressed deep appreciation for the encouragement she has received. "Just want to say THANK YOU to those that have all helped carry," she wrote, accompanying photos of care packages sent by well-wishers. "Nothing but gratitude for these gifts given by different people at different times that have been essential for me through this specific time."
Paul extended her thanks further, stating, "Thank you to every message, meal, gift, call, prayer, and support of any kind sent." She reflected on the emotional toll of the situation, adding, "There is the human side of this and then it gets to a point of it being miraculous when you start to see it from a bigger lens."
The post comes amid ongoing legal proceedings concerning the custody of the couple's 2-year-old son. Mortensen was granted temporary custody in March after filing a protective order, coinciding with the release of a 2023 video showing a physical altercation between the two.
During an April 7 court appearance, Paul was granted supervised visitation rights, which will remain in effect until the next scheduled hearing on April 30. The reality star is also mother to two children from her previous marriage to Tate Paul.
Paul's legal challenges have had professional repercussions, including the cancellation of her scheduled season as "The Bachelorette" following the emergence of the 2023 video, which depicted her striking Mortensen with a metal stool while a child was heard crying nearby.
In a separate Instagram post shared ahead of her court date, Paul opened up about her emotional state, writing, "The last 40 days felt like hell on earth. Through every panic attack I prayed for strength as I could feel my body breaking down and out from the distress of it all."
She continued, "I've prayed since I was young and never strayed away because I believe he wants us to ask for help especially during our lowest points. However, instead of just asking I switched over to thanking him at the end of each day no matter how low I felt."
The custody dispute follows Paul's 2023 arrest on domestic violence charges related to an incident with Mortensen. She later pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault, with the charge scheduled to be reduced to a misdemeanor after three years if she complies with the terms of her plea agreement.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Paul and Mortensen welcomed their son in March 2024, with Paul sharing a hospital photo on Instagram with the caption, "We've had the best two weeks with him. We all love you so much, thank you for blending our family."