Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen reunited in a Utah courtroom for the first time since the courtroom drama began in February.
The former couple sat with serious expressions during the ongoing custody hearing for their son Ever, 2, on Thursday, according to a live video stream aired by TMZ.
Additionally, the two are currently working out the details of a duel protection order that they filed against each other following a series of allegations of domestic violence.
Paul was joined by his mother Leanne May, stepfather Jeremy May and sister Aspin May.
During legal proceedings, Mortensen’s attorney claimed that the real-life personality was “afraid.”
“Why has he been putting up with this? Why has he waited so long to do anything?” he said at the hearing. “The answer is because he was afraid of the power that would come upon him.”
Mortensen’s lawyer also referred to his client as a male “domestic violence victim” who was “compelled by a very charismatic test and a very charismatic personality to come back and re-enter this relationship, through his romantic interest and interest in his son, until it breaks down again.”
Meanwhile, Ms Paul’s lawyer hit back with claims that Mortensen was trying to “ruin” her.
“He was literally trying to destroy her. He was going to subject her and her family to new pain,” Paul’s lawyer argued. “Yes, it does have something to do with your career. It comes with a lot of embarrassment.”
Representatives for Mr. Paul and Mr. Mortensen did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment Thursday evening.
This is the first time the pair have been seen together in public since news broke in March that Paul’s season of The Bachelorette had been canceled after the pair were facing multiple domestic violence investigations over an alleged conflict.
Draper, Utah, police and West Jordan police began a domestic violence investigation in February after Mortensen and Paul were accused of violence in a series of alleged confrontations earlier that month.
Earlier this month, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office declined to file new charges against Paul due to “evidential issues” in the investigation led by West Jordan and Draper police, according to a press release.
Prosecutors argued in the West Jordan investigation that “the complainants in these cases reported several incidents, some of which occurred more than three years ago.”
The misdemeanor, which allegedly occurred more than two years ago, is “barred by the statute of limitations,” the statement added.
He also said the charges against the 31-year-old “Mormon Wives” star “do not rise to the level of a criminal offense.”
“The remaining cases lack sufficient evidence to support criminal charges, requiring the state to be able to prove such allegations beyond a reasonable date. Such cases lack specificity and corroboration as to when and what actually happened,” it reads.
In March, footage was released of a violent encounter with Mortensen in 2023, in which Paul was seen throwing a bar stool at his now 8-year-old daughter Indi as she sat nearby.
Paul was previously arrested for the 2023 incident, but later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. Other charges were dropped.
ABC immediately canceled Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” after the video was released last month.
On March 25, news broke that the reality star was facing two investigations by Draper, Utah police, as well as a third domestic violence investigation by West Jordan police.
Although no new charges have been filed, the custody battle between Paul and Mortensen continues after Paul filed a restraining order against Mortensen, 33, and was granted temporary custody of Ever.
Mortensen provided photos of injuries he allegedly sustained as a result of the crash, one of which showed what appeared to be a bloody nose.
Paul, who also has five-year-old son Ocean with ex-husband Tate Paul, was granted supervised visitation amid concerns about Ever’s “erratic” behavior. The arrangement was to remain in effect until today’s hearing.
Earlier this month, Paul applied for his own restraining order, citing an incident in March 2025 in which he was assaulted by Mortensen, which left him with “visible bruises all over his body.”
She also claimed that Mortensen “tattooed her initials on the inside of her lip and sent her pictures,” and that she was traumatized by him stalking her and slamming her head into the dashboard of his truck.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
