DA Declines Charges Against Taylor Frankie Paul

Salt Lake County prosecutors have declined to bring new criminal charges against influencer and reality TV personality Taylor Frankie Paul, closing a closely watched investigation tied to domestic violence allegations involving her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen.

In a statement issued April 14, 2026, District Attorney Sim Gill said the decision followed a review of police reports from Draper and West Jordan. Prosecutors concluded there was not enough evidence to meet the legal threshold required to file charges. Some of the allegations also fell outside Utah’s statute of limitations, further limiting what could be pursued in court.

The decision carries significant implications for Paul’s legal standing. She is currently on probation stemming from a 2023 domestic violence case. Any new charges could have jeopardized that status. If she avoids further legal trouble through August 2026, her existing felony conviction is expected to be reduced to a misdemeanor.

However, the legal situation is not fully resolved. Paul and Mortensen remain engaged in a civil dispute, with competing petitions for protective orders. A hearing scheduled for April 30 is expected to address both the long-term protective measures and custody arrangements for their young son.

While the criminal case may be off the table, the professional fallout has been substantial.

ABC made the unusual decision in March to cancel Season 22 of The Bachelorette, which had already been filmed with Paul as the lead. The network pulled the season just days before its planned premiere after a previously recorded video surfaced, reportedly showing Paul throwing chairs during a confrontation with Mortensen in 2023. The move marked a rare instance of an entire completed season being shelved.

The canceled season was already notable. Paul had been set to become the first lead in franchise history who had not previously appeared as a contestant on The Bachelor.

Other projects tied to both Paul and Mortensen have also been affected. Production on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, where Paul plays a central role, was paused earlier this year amid concerns about ongoing instability and cast tensions. Meanwhile, Mortensen’s involvement in Vanderpump Villa has reportedly been cut, with his filmed storyline removed following public attention to the dispute.