Taylor Frankie Paul: Utah influencer pleads not guilty to domestic abuse charges, says she's on 'antidepressants'
If you or anyone you know suspects child abuse, you are urged to immediately call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential and the hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
HERRIMAN, UTAH: After being arrested on February 18, Taylor Frankie Paul, a well-known social media personality, pleaded not guilty to charges of domestic abuse and aggravated assault. In an Instagram post, Paul talked about how she was taking antidepressants and making efforts to "heal silently".
Following her arrest in Herriman, Utah, 28-year-old Paul was taken into custody and booked in jail. However, a few hours later, she was released on three misdemeanor charges, which included assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child, for reportedly striking her boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, 30. Additionally, Paul was also charged with one count of Class A misdemeanor for child abuse.
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'Swinging' Mormon TikToker Taylor Frankie Paul arrested for domestic violence as BF defends her
'I’ve silently been working on healing'
“The last few weeks have been the hardest of weeks of my life,” Paul said. “I wanted to thank all of those who have been by my side, those who reached out, and the strangers that stopped to hug me.” Paul continued, “I’ve silently been working on healing, therapy, a blessing, starting classes, and got on antidepressants to help me during this time. I’m starting to feel progress and will be back to work soon. Again, just thank you for those that have given me grace at this very difficult time.”
With her ex-husband Tate Paul, Paul has a five-year-old daughter named Indy and a two-year-old son named Ocean. In May 2022, Paul became the center of controversy when she admitted that she and Tate were rumored "swingers", trading partners occasionally among her close-knit group of influential friends. Tate filed for divorce after she acknowledged having an inappropriate relationship with someone's spouse and going "too far", as per a report in NY Post. Since then, she has begun dating Mortensen, who can be spotted in her TikTok videos.
Paul was charged after it was claimed that after a confrontation at Mortensen's Utah home, Paul hit him with three "heavy, metal chairs" and a wooden play set. Yet on behalf of Paul's children, a protective order was made before the trial. One of Paul's children, who was sitting on the couch throughout the alleged argument, reportedly received a "goose egg" on the head when one of the metal chairs struck the child. According to court filings, Paul was also told not to drink. Further details about the alleged incident are being gathered by lawyers.
'Never hurt anyone intentionally'
Despite the alleged assault, Mortensen stood by Paul's side and remained tight-lipped during her arrest. In a report, he accused the police of not allowing him to speak with her. Mortensen also clarified that he was not the one who called 911 and suspected that a neighbor may have made the call. He further argued that Paul never intentionally hurt anyone.
Paul's next court appearance is scheduled for March 31. In the meantime, stories have started surfacing about the couple being cozy despite the charges against her.