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Dakota Mortensen issued a formal response on Thursday, March 19, 2026, regarding a leaked video that appears to show his former partner, Taylor Frankie Paul, assaulting him.
In an exclusive statement to TMZ, Dakota Mortensen described the situation as "deeply upsetting" and categorically denied what he labeled as "baseless claims" about their relationship.
He stated that his current priority remains the safety and well-being of their son, Kal, and expressed hope that Taylor Frankie Paul would also focus on their child’s welfare.
The video in question relates to a 2023 incident for which Taylor Frankie Paul previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
Following that case, she received three years of probation, which is currently scheduled to end in August 2026.
This recent resurfacing of the footage has caused significant professional fallout for the reality star, leading to the suspension or cancellation of several of her television projects.
The release of the video led to the immediate cancellation of The Bachelorette Season 22, which featured Taylor Frankie Paul as the lead.
Additionally, Hulu and Jeff Jenkins Productions have paused production for the fifth season of the reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives while the network evaluates the situation.
Producers cited Taylor Frankie Paul’s past actions and the nature of the footage as the primary reasons for these decisions, reflecting a zero-tolerance policy toward the behavior depicted.
Beyond the entertainment industry, the incident has triggered an investigation by the Utah Division of Children and Family Services.
Authorities have ordered both Dakota Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul to undergo psychological evaluations as part of an ongoing inquiry into the safety of their home environment.
These legal and social services interventions highlight the severity of the allegations and the impact on the couple's family life.
