Reality star Taylor Frankie Paul has filed for a temporary restraining order against her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, alleging a "pattern of abusive conduct and coercive control" in their relationship, according to legal documents obtained by People and TMZ. The filing on April 7 marks the latest escalation in a bitter custody dispute over their two-year-old son.
Taylor's legal move comes just weeks after Dakota was granted temporary custody of their toddler on March 20, following his own protective order filing on March 19. In her court documents, Taylor accused Mortensen of using his custody petition as "an effort to sabotage" her career.
The reality star is requesting that their son also be covered under the protective order. She detailed allegations of physical violence during their on-and-off relationship between 2022 and 2025, including a specific February 2026 incident where she claims Dakota "slammed her head against the dashboard of his truck and struck her knee and elbow" after allegedly driving her away from her home against her will.
"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," Taylor's representative told E! News in a statement.
Dakota's original protective order filing presented a different account of their conflicts. According to TMZ's review of court documents, he described an argument in March where he claimed Taylor physically assaulted him, threw his phone against a wall, and "physically blocked" him from leaving her home. He stated that to protect himself, he "pushed her away" resulting in her making "contact with the passenger seat."
This legal battle unfolds against the backdrop of Taylor's previous legal troubles. In August 2023, she pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault stemming from a 2023 incident where video showed her throwing a metal stool at Mortensen, accidentally striking her daughter. Her plea was held in abeyance for three years, with the charge to be reduced to a misdemeanor if she complies with her plea agreement terms.
"As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation," Dakota told E! News in response to previous allegations. "I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny."
The February 2026 incident Taylor referenced in her filing is currently under investigation by Utah authorities. Both parties' representatives have been contacted for comment on the latest developments, but no responses have been received at this time.