Taylor Frankie Paul’s ‘Bachelorette’ Season in Jeopardy After Domestic Violence Investigation

By Lila Roberts, Entertainment Editor

March 17, 2026

The upcoming season of ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” starring Taylor Frankie Paul, is facing significant disruption following reports of a domestic violence investigation involving Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. The investigation has cast a shadow over the show’s premiere, scheduled for Sunday, March 22nd, and has led to a pause in production on Season 5 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

Ongoing Investigation

The Draper City Police Department in Northern Utah confirmed an ongoing “domestic assault investigation” involving Paul and Mortensen, with both parties reportedly making allegations against each other. USA Today reports that law enforcement made contact with both individuals on February 24th and 25th. The department has stated it will not release details of the active investigation to protect the privacy of those involved.

Previous Legal Issues and Allegations

This is not the first instance of legal trouble for Paul related to her relationship with Mortensen. The current investigation follows a guilty plea to one count of aggravated assault six months after an incident in February 2023. As part of a plea deal, some charges of domestic violence in the presence of a child and related misdemeanors were dropped. People Magazine and MSN have reported on the complex history between the two.

Impact on “The Bachelorette” and “Mormon Wives”

The leaked video of the 2023 incident, showing Paul allegedly physically assaulting Mortensen while her daughter was present, prompted Disney Entertainment Television to halt production on the new season of “The Bachelorette.” A Disney spokesperson stated, “In light of the video released today, we have made the decision not to continue working on the new season of The Old Lady at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.” Production on Season 5 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” was also paused.

Paul’s Response

A representative for Taylor Frankie Paul released a statement expressing gratitude for ABC’s support and emphasizing her priority is the safety of her family. The statement also alluded to years of alleged psychological and physical abuse, stating that Paul had taken steps to protect herself and her children.

Background on Taylor Frankie Paul

Taylor Frankie Paul, 31, is a mother of three – 8-year-old Indy and 5-year-old Ocean from a previous marriage, and a nearly 2-year-old son, Ever, with Mortensen. Parade notes she is the first “Bachelorette” lead who has not previously appeared on “The Bachelor.” Her journey to identify love, and the complexities of her personal life, were already documented on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” which premiered in 2024.

The situation remains fluid, and the future of Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” remains uncertain as the investigation continues.