Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen's first public appearance since domestic violence dispute

Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen faced each other in court in Utah for the first time since their legal challenges began in February.

According to a live stream aired by TMZ, the ex-partners appeared somber during Thursday's court session concerning the custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever.

They are currently working through the complex details of mutual protective orders resulting from alleged domestic violence events.

Paul attended the proceedings with her mother Liann May, stepfather Jeremy May, and sister Aspyn May.

During the session, Mortensen’s attorney claimed that his client was “afraid.”

“Why did he endure this? Why delay taking action?” he posed during the session. “The reason is fear of retaliation.”

Mortensen’s representative also described him as a male “domestic violence victim” and explained how he has been “drawn back through emotional ties or those involving his son and through strong emotional pulls and a compelling personality until it erupts, once more.”

Paul’s attorney, on the other hand, rebutted with accusations that Mortensen aims to “ruin” her.

“He seeks to completely ruin her. He aims to subject her and her family to more distress,” Paul’s attorney declared. “Certainly, this has repercussions for her career. There's immense shame linked to this.”

According to Us Weekly, Paul’s attorney also noted that she faced two miscarriages during their February confrontation.

“They were experiencing difficulties, which were worsened by the fact that my client suffered two recent miscarriages,” Paul’s attorney added.

Representatives for both Paul and Mortensen didn't respond to Page Six’s requests for comments Thursday evening.

This public appearance marks the first occasion they have been seen together since reports arose that the duo was under investigation for multiple domestic violence cases, which subsequently led to the cancellation of Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” in March.

Both the Draper City Police Department and West Jordan Police Department in Utah began domestic violence investigations in February, as both Mortensen and Paul alleged acts of violence during several confrontations earlier that month.

The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office decided not to press new charges against Paul this month due to an “evidence issue” in the inquiries conducted by West Jordan and Draper Police Departments, noted in a press statement.

The DA’s office mentioned that in the West Jordan investigation, “the complainant reported multiple events – some occurring over three years ago.”

It added that minor offenses over two years old are “blocked by the statute of limitations.”

It further stated that allegations against the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” actress, aged 31, “do not meet the threshold for criminal offenses.”

“The remaining cases lack enough proof to file criminal charges where the State must prove these charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Such cases lack details on timing, actual events, or confirmation,” the statement elaborated.

In March, footage was made public showing a violent 2023 incident with Mortensen, where Paul is seen hurling barstools while her daughter Indy, now 8, sat nearby.

Paul was initially detained for the alleged 2023 incident, later entering a deferred plea to aggravated assault. Other charges were dropped.

Following the release of the footage last month, ABC swiftly canceled Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette.”

On March 25, it was disclosed that the reality star was under a third domestic violence probe by the West Jordan Police Department, along with two more investigations by Draper Police in Utah.

Though no new charges will be filed, Paul’s custody dispute with Mortensen, 33, persists after he sought a restraining order against her and acquired temporary custody of Ever.

Mortensen has submitted photos of alleged harm incurred during their disputes, with an image portraying what seemed to be a bloody nose.

Paul — who also has a son, Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul — received monitored visits with Ever due to concerns over her “unstable” demeanor. This arrangement was to last until today’s court session.

Earlier this month, Paul requested her own restraining order against Mortensen, pointing to an alleged incident in March 2025 when Mortensen reportedly attacked her, resulting in “visible bruises on various body parts.”

She additionally claimed that Mortensen “tattooed [her] initials on his lip and sent [her] a picture” and that he stalked her and banged her head against a truck’s dashboard, among other issues.