Taylor Frankie Paul Cancels Hulu Series After Shock Domestic Abuse Probe

Taylor Frankie Paul, the former “Bachelorette” star, announced that production on season 5 of Hulu’s *Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* (SLOMW) was halted after a domestic‑abuse investigation involving her ex‑partner, Dakota Mortensen.

The decision came immediately following a heated phone call with co‑stars in which Paul recounted a recent altercation with Mortensen. The call prompted the show’s producers to display an on‑screen message stating that production had been paused.

During the call, Paul said she had stopped filming because “a mess” involving Mortensen had erupted. She described a confrontation that occurred after a dispute over their two‑year‑old son, Ever.

Paul alleged that a friend of Mortensen called child‑protective services and falsely claimed she had shouted at the child and acted violently toward him. She insisted she had video evidence proving the child was not present during the alleged incident.

The episode cut to a later date, showing all co‑stars – except Paul – recording confessionals about the cancellation of her upcoming “Bachelorette” season. Earlier that year, Paul had admitted on the show that she had cheated on her winner, Doug Mason, with Mortensen after filming ABC’s series.

The allegations surfaced during a March investigation that led to the suspension of SLOMW production.

## Background & Context

SLOMW premiered in 2022 and followed a group of Mormon women who left their marriages to pursue new lives. Season 5 was set to air in early 2024, but production was halted in March following the domestic‑abuse investigation.

Paul’s Bachelorette season, which had been slated for release that same year, was also pulled by ABC after a video surfaced showing an alleged 2023 domestic‑violence incident between Paul and Mortensen.

Paul has faced multiple investigations. One was led by the West Jordan Police Department in Utah; another involved Draper Police. court documents, the latest charges against her were dismissed, but Mortensen has petitioned for an order of protection against her.

In June, Paul checked herself into a rehabilitation program to address personal issues.

The show's production team stated that they had received a formal notice from authorities and were following legal guidance. ABC’s communications team confirmed that they had ceased filming the series until the investigations were resolved. Disney, which co‑owns Hulu, was reported to have been involved in the decision-making process, .

## Allegations and Investigation Details

Paul claimed that Mortensen’s friend called child‑protective services after their dispute. She said the friend alleged she had screamed at their son and staged an altercation. Paul emphasized that she had never touched Ever and that the footage from her phone disproves the accusation.

The claim that she was abusive is the central issue for the investigation, which has yet to yield a verdict.

Mortensen’s legal team has not released a statement regarding the allegations. Police reports are still pending, and court filings indicate that additional evidence is being collected. The order of protection filed by Mortensen seeks to restrict Paul’s contact with their child, though it has not yet been granted.

The investigation remains active, and no final ruling has been issued.

Public reaction to the situation has been polarized. Some fans have expressed support for Paul, . Others call for a thorough examination of the evidence before any judgments are made.

Social media platforms have seen a surge in commentary, with several users sharing screenshots from the alleged video that was leaked in March.

## Current Status and Future Plans

Despite the ongoing investigation, sources close to the production have indicated that Paul will return for SLOMW season 6. The show’s producers claim they have maintained open communication with ABC and Disney throughout the process. They also noted that Paul has reportedly been working on herself while navigating personal challenges.

ABC confirmed that it had a “full line of communication” with Paul during the pause of her Bachelorette season, though it remained uncertain whether the network would greenlight her return once investigations concluded. Disney reportedly expressed support for a comeback, contingent on legal outcomes.

The next steps for the series are unclear. Production staff have stated that they will resume filming only after all legal questions are settled and any required court orders are in place. Meanwhile, Paul is scheduled to appear in court to address the order of protection petition filed by Mortensen.

Until then, both parties remain under scrutiny from authorities and the public.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s career has been interrupted by a domestic‑abuse investigation tied to her ex‑partner. While some legal issues have been resolved, others persist, affecting her participation in current and future reality‑TV projects.

The outcome will shape not only her personal trajectory but also the future of *Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* and the broader reality‑TV landscape.