{"id":393,"date":"2026-05-01T02:27:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T02:27:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/judge-criticizes-taylor-frankie-paul-dakota-mortensen-in-protective-order-ruling\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T02:27:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T02:27:55","slug":"judge-criticizes-taylor-frankie-paul-dakota-mortensen-in-protective-order-ruling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/judge-criticizes-taylor-frankie-paul-dakota-mortensen-in-protective-order-ruling\/","title":{"rendered":"Judge criticizes Taylor Frankie Paul, Dakota Mortensen in protective order ruling"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/126746465.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>A Utah judge criticized Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen for the \u201ctoxicity\u201d of their dynamic while ordering mutual protective orders. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis has been a very toxic relationship,\u201d commissioner Russell Minas <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/celebrity-news\/news\/judges-rules-on-taylor-frankie-paul-dakota-protective-order\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said at Thursday\u2019s hearing<\/a> between the realty TV personalities, per Us Weekly. \u201cIt\u2019s beyond the pale in a lot of ways, the toxicity.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Of their son Ever, 2, the judge noted that the exes need to come together as co-parents. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat I\u2019ve seen from the evidence even post last hearing, there seems to be a continuing attraction that they have for each other,\u201d he noted. \u201cYou guys have to figure out a lot here. You have to figure out how to function as coparents.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He also labeled the dynamic a \u201cdysfunction,\u201d amid the former couple\u2019s ongoing custody battle \u2014 which currently has Mortensen, 33, maintaining physical custody and Paul, 31, allowed supervised visitation.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Commissioner Russell Minas (above at Thursday\u2019s hearing in Utah) slammed Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen\u2019s \u201ctoxic\u201d relationship during a hearing.  <span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>The commissioner said the reality stars \u201chave to figure out how to function as coparents.\u201d Paul is pictured above at the hearing.  <span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m going to leave the current order in place,\u201d the judge said, per the outlet. \u201cI need to think a little bit more about this lifting of supervision. I have mixed feelings about it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The judge expressed hope that Mortensen and Paul aren\u2019t \u201cpeople who just thrive on the drama and the conflict\u201d and noted that they needed to put their \u201cchild first and shield the child from this conflict.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>He reminded the \u201cSecret Lives of Mormon Wives\u201d star and her ex that they\u2019re \u201clinked together for the remainder of your lives,\u201d through their son. \u201cYou\u2019re modeling how you deal with conflict to a 2-year-old,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<p>The pair was ordered to stay 100 feet from each other in the ruling, which granted both parties the protective orders they previously sought. <\/p>\n<p>The judge noted that he believed there had \u201cbeen violence that\u2019s occurred both ways between these parties\u201d while saying he felt Paul\u2019s \u201cconduct\u201d was \u201cmore reactive.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>The former couple were granted mutual protective orders. Mortensen is seen above in the courtroom.  <span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>\u201cYou\u2019re modeling how you deal with conflict to a 2-year-old,\u201d Minas told the former couple, seen above with son Ever in a throwback social media post.  <span class=\"credit\">TikTok\/@taylorfrankiepaul<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cDakota knows what to do, that to get under her skin, so to speak, and she reacts,\u201d the judge claimed of the dynamic \u2014 in which a seemingly calm Mortensen, at one point, recorded his ex during a volatile 2023 exchange.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think [Mortensen is] just more deliberative,\u201d the judge explained, describing Mortensen\u2019s conduct as \u201csubtle.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>The judge held back on ruling on Paul\u2019s current supervision during visitation with their son, noting that if it continued, he was \u201cwary that Dakota may actually try to use that as a way to manipulate and control her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The reality star \u2014 who also shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband\u00a0Tate Paul \u2014 temporarily <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/03\/20\/celebrity-news\/taylor-frankie-paul-loses-custody-of-son-after-disturbing-dakota-mortensen-fight-video-surfaces\/\">lost custody of Ever <\/a>earlier this month amid mutual allegations of abuse.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Paul and Mortensen (above on \u201cThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives\u201d) were ordered to stay 100 feet away from each other. <span class=\"credit\">Disney<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>The judge did not rule on the issue of Paul\u2019s supervision during visitation. She\u2019s seen above with Mortensen and Ever in a social media upload.  <span class=\"credit\">TikTok\/@taylorfrankiepaul<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cTaylor was incredibly candid with the Court that she is not perfect and owned her faults, which is in direct contrast to how the other party presented their argument, despite evidence and input from law enforcement that showed otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTaylor feels solidarity with the many survivors who have endured similar hardships behind closed doors and shared only part of their stories, and she remains grateful for the outpouring of support she continues to receive,\u201d the statement continued. <\/p>\n<p>The statement concluded, \u201cShe looks forward to continuing to cooperate with the Court to make progress in the custody case.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The duo\u2019s appearance in court was the first time they\u2019ve been <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/04\/30\/celebrity-news\/taylor-frankie-paul-and-dakota-mortensen-seen-together-in-utah-court\/\">seen in public together<\/a> since their legal drama began in March, when news emerged that the pair was facing multiple domestic violence investigations over alleged physical altercations. <\/p>\n<p>The Salt Lake County District Attorney\u2019s office\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/04\/14\/celebrity-news\/taylor-frankie-paul-wont-face-new-charges-following-domestic-violence-investigations\/\">declined to file new charges against Paul<\/a>\u00a0earlier in April due to what they called an \u201cevidentiary issue\u201d in the Draper and West Jordan Police Department investigations, according to a press release. <\/p>\n<p>They also cited the fact that some of the incidents brought forward \u201coccurred more than three years ago\u201d and are therefore \u201cbarred by the statute of limitations.\u201d <\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>A statement from Paul\u2019s lawyers said she \u201clooks forward to continuing to cooperate with the Court to make progress in the custody case.\u201d She\u2019s seen above in a throwback photo with Mortensen.  <span class=\"credit\">Taylor Frankie Paul\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>News broke in March that Paul and Mortensen were facing domestic violence investigations. Paul is seen above in 2023 bodycam footage.  <span class=\"credit\">Herriman City Police Department<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The release noted that the allegations against Paul\u00a0\u201cdo not rise to the level of criminal offenses.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Amid the allegations, in March, TMZ released video of Paul and Mortensen\u2019s<a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/03\/19\/celebrity-news\/taylor-frankie-paul-attacks-dakota-mortensen-with-chair-in-front-of-daughter-video\/\"> 2023 encounter<\/a> \u2014 during which Paul was seen apparently throwing barstools while daughter Indy sat on a nearby couch.<\/p>\n<p>She was arrested\u00a0over the alleged 2023 encounter, and pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault. <\/p>\n<p>ABC\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/03\/19\/entertainment\/abc-cancels-taylor-frankie-pauls-season-of-the-bachelorette\/\">canceled Paul\u2019s impending season<\/a>\u00a0of \u201cThe Bachelorette\u201d following the release of the tape. <\/p>\n<p>Mortensen filed for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/03\/19\/celebrity-news\/taylor-frankie-paul-allegedly-choked-ex-dakota-mortensen-he-claims-in-restraining-order-filing\/\">a restraining order<\/a>\u00a0against Paul \u2014 and <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/04\/16\/celebrity-news\/taylor-frankie-paul-and-dakota-mortensen-showcase-gruesome-bloody-injuries-from-alleged-domestic-violence-incidents\/\">submitted photos of alleged injuries<\/a>\u00a0sustained during the incidents \u2014 and was granted temporary custody of Ever until today\u2019s hearing. Paul was granted\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/04\/07\/celebrity-news\/taylor-frankie-paul-faces-custody-blow-in-court-as-judge-is-concerned-over-her-volatile-behavior\/\">supervised visitation<\/a>\u00a0with Ever.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Video emerged last month of the former couple in the middle of an alleged confrontation. Mortensen is seen here in 2023 bodycam footage.  <span class=\"credit\">Herriman City Police Department<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Paul\u2019s lawyer said during the hearing that Mortensen \u201cwants to literally destroy\u201d the reality star. <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>News subsequently broke on March 25 that a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/03\/25\/celebrity-news\/mormon-wives-star-taylor-frankie-paul-under-investigation-for-third-domestic-violence-incident\/\">third domestic violence investigation<\/a>\u00a0by the West Jordan Police Department \u2014 in addition to the two investigations being pursued by Draper Police \u2014 was in the works.<\/p>\n<p>Paul <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/04\/07\/celebrity-news\/taylor-frankie-paul-files-restraining-order-against-dakota-mortensen\/\">petitioned for a restraining order<\/a> against Mortensen this month, claiming that he\u2019d stalked her, slammed her head into the dashboard of his truck, and traumatized her by tattooing her initials to the inside of his lip and sending her a photo. <\/p>\n<p>Prior to the ruling at Thursday\u2019s hearing, Mortensen\u2019s lawyer claimed he was \u201cafraid of the force that would happen against him\u201d and called him a \u201cdomestic violence victim.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Paul\u2019s lawyer, however, asserted Mortensen \u201cwants to literally destroy\u201d the reality star. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe was to subject her and her family to a new round of torment,\u201d Paul\u2019s lawyer told the courtroom. \u201cYes, there are career implications to it. There\u2019s massive embarrassment associated with that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/04\/30\/celebrity-news\/judge-criticizes-taylor-frankie-paul-dakota-mortensen-in-protective-order-ruling\/\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Utah judge criticized Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen for the \u201ctoxicity\u201d of their<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":394,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/126746465.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=393"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/393\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}