Taylor Frankie Paul Shares the “Ugly Parts” of Her Healing Journey
Taylor Frankie Paul has opened up about the difficult and painful process of healing after resolving a recent domestic violence dispute with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. In an emotional Instagram post, she shared a series of mirror selfies that highlighted the physical and emotional toll of her experiences.
“Here come the ugly parts of what healing actually looks like. If you know me, you know I’ll admit my parts, flaws, and faults. I’m well aware that’s part of it. We’ll get there,” Paul wrote in her caption. The “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star posted a carousel of images, including one where she lifts up her shirt to reveal her stomach and another where her hair appears matted.
In the post, Paul reflected on the public nature of her struggles. “This public atrocity that I not only lived through once but twice now, on even a bigger scale was ultimately the cost to my freedom. I wouldn’t wish this upon my worst enemy or even the ones who publicized it,” she wrote.
She acknowledged that while she still has a long road ahead, she feels “forever freed from a certain living hell.” She described the experience as metaphorically being witnessed while bleeding out and having salt poured over the wounds. “Somehow I’m still here,” she added.
Paul, 31, expressed gratitude for the support she received from others, even without full context of her situation with Mortensen. “After waiting 7 weeks on the 7th day exactly, I received the call all charges dropped,” she noted. She also mentioned that she and Mortensen are working on eating, movement, rest, and retraining their nervous systems. “I’ll be sharing the process, because if my worst is shared, the better bet is I’ll share the rebuilding too.”
Legal Developments and Public Scrutiny
The emotional post comes days after Utah police concluded their investigations into several domestic violence incidents involving Paul and Mortensen. On April 14, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office declined to file new charges against Paul due to “evidentiary issues” in the investigations led by the Draper Police and West Jordan Police Departments, according to a press release.
Regarding the West Jordan investigations, the DA’s office stated that the complainant reported several incidents, some of which occurred more than three years ago. However, minor offenses that allegedly happened longer than two years ago are “barred by the statute of limitations.” The statement continued, noting that the allegations against Paul “do not rise to the level of criminal offenses.”
“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. Such incidents lack specificity as to when and what actually occurred or corroboration,” the message read.
Controversy and Public Fallout
Paul made headlines last month when “SLOMW” paused filming on Season 5 due to her being investigated for alleged domestic violence against Mortensen. Days later, her season of “The Bachelorette” was pulled by ABC after a disturbing video was leaked showing a domestic violence incident between her and her ex.
In the footage from 2023, Paul attacks Mortensen with chairs in front of her now 8-year-old daughter, Indy. It was later revealed on March 25 that Paul was under a third domestic violence investigation being led by the West Jordan Police Department, in addition to the two investigations being pursued by Draper Police in Utah.
Even though the most recent charges against Paul were dropped, she remains involved in a heated custody battle with Mortensen, 33, after he petitioned the courts for an order of protection against her. Mortensen was granted temporary custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever. Paul is currently allowed “supervised” visitation with the toddler due to concerns regarding her “volatile” behavior.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
