⛰️ BREAKING NEWS: "Mormon Wives" star cleared in domestic violence case—but ABC already canceled her show

Utah DA cites lack of evidence and statute of limitations—as Paul and ex-boyfriend maintain dueling restraining orders.

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Utah DA cites lack of evidence and statute of limitations—as Paul and ex-boyfriend maintain dueling restraining orders.

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May 18, 2026 Near You

Utah DA Drops Charges Against "Mormon Wives" Star Over Domestic Violence—ABC Already Canceled Her "Bachelorette" Season

Utah prosecutors declined to file charges Tuesday against "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Taylor Frankie Paul following domestic violence investigations into her volatile relationship with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, citing insufficient evidence and statute of limitations issues. The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office announcement comes weeks after ABC pulled Paul's scheduled season of "The Bachelorette" when leaked 2023 body camera footage of her arrest went viral, and as both Paul and Mortensen maintain dueling protective orders against each other. The DA's office said some "misdemeanor offenses" happened more than two years ago and were barred by the statute of limitations, while more recent incidents "did not rise to the level of being considered crimes" or lacked evidence . "The remaining incidents lack sufficient evidence to support filing criminal charges where the state must be able to prove such allegations beyond a reasonable date," the office stated, noting incidents "lack specificity as to when and what actually occurred or corroboration" . Paul celebrated on Instagram Tuesday night, writing "Cried when I got the call. THANK YOU to those that have stood with me" , even as she remains on probation until August for a 2023 aggravated assault conviction involving Mortensen. The Breakdown: Subject: Your Security is Our Top Priority We are delighted to connect with you today to discuss something that we hold in the highest regard: the security of your online environment. Your unwavering commitment to safeguarding your account is not only commendable but also crucial in fortifying our digital community. Celebrating Your Role in Security Your proactive approach to protecting your account is nothing short of exemplary. 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Our support team is always ready to provide the necessary guidance to ensure your online experience remains secure. Addressing Security Concerns Should you notice any suspicious activity within your account, we urge you to contact our support team immediately. Common signs of suspicious activity include: - Attempts to log in from unknown devices. - Unapproved changes to your account settings. - Receiving unexpected notifications or messages. In scenarios where we detect unusual activity, we may need to temporarily restrict account access to protect your data. Rest assured, we will communicate with you through your registered email and will never ask for sensitive information, such as passwords or full credit card details, via email. Thank You for Your Continued Trust We are truly grateful for your trust and cooperation in fortifying the security of our platform. Your commitment to maintaining a safe online environment is inspiring, and we are honored to support you every step of the way. Warm regards, The Security Team Paul pleaded guilty in 2023 to aggravated assault after allegedly throwing metal bar stools at Mortensen while her daughter was nearby, with the plea held in abeyance meaning the charge will be dismissed in August if she doesn't violate probation terms Production on Season 5 of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" was put on hold in March following the dual investigations, with cast members telling ABC executives they had concerns about continuing if Paul remained involved The decline in charges doesn't affect Mortensen's temporary protective order against Paul, which could become permanent at an April 30 hearing, while Paul currently has only supervised visitation with their 2-year-old son The Angle: This case exposes the brutal reality of prosecuting he-said-she-said domestic violence when both parties weaponize the system against each other. Paul's attorney argued Mortensen deliberately held their child as a "human shield" during fights, while Mortensen's attorney countered that Paul uses their son "as a pawn to start fights" . The result is a legal stalemate where neither faces criminal consequences, yet both claim victimization in competing protective order filings. ABC's decision to cancel Paul's "Bachelorette" season came just days before its March premiere after the leaked 2023 video surfaced , proving that reality TV consequences arrive faster than legal ones. The irony is thick: Paul built her fame on Hulu by monetizing this exact toxic relationship—the series premiere literally featured police body camera footage of her arrest—only to have that same dysfunction cost her the Disney/ABC franchise upgrade. Now she's cleared criminally but professionally radioactive, with Hulu pausing production and her ex being edited out of "Vanderpump Villa." The statute of limitations technicality and evidence gaps gave prosecutors an easy out on a messy case where mutual combat allegations make conviction nearly impossible. Paul keeps custody battles and reality TV paychecks. Justice, for any actual victim here, remains elusive. Explore More Stories →

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