ABC cancels Taylor Frankie Paul’s ‘Bachelorette’ season
Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” was canceled after a “domestic assault investigation” was revealed by Utah police.
A prosecutor in Utah has confirmed his office is aware of the allegations between “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
“Late last week, we requested all the investigative material to screen the most recent allegations for charges. We made the request because of the potential that if charges are filed, they could be enhanced due to a prior plea in abeyance to a domestic violence offense,” Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said in a statement provided to USA TODAY on March 23.
Gill’s office did not provide further details about its investigation. USA TODAY has reached out to the Draper City prosecutor and Paul’s representative for comment.
In 2023, Paul, 31, entered a plea of abeyance to a felony aggravated assault charge following an alleged domestic violence incident involving Mortensen.
Gill previously told Entertainment Weekly on March 19 that “We have received the police report for the new allegations, and it is our understanding the case is being screened by the Draper City prosecutor. We requested the police report so our prosecutors could evaluate how those new allegations may affect the case for which the defendant is currently on probation.”
The Draper City Police Department in Northern Utah previously confirmed to People on March 16 that there is an ongoing “domestic assault investigation” involving Paul and Mortensen, who have both reportedly leveled allegations against each other.
Law enforcement made contact with the parties on Feb. 24 and 25, the spokesperson told the outlet.
Mortensen has reportedly filed for a protective order against Paul, with whom he shares a 2-year-old son.
Three days later, after TMZ published a video of the alleged 2023 domestic violence incident that led to Paul’s arrest, her season of “The Bachelorette” was scrapped days before the premiere, with no details about whether the episodes would eventually make it to air.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told USA TODAY on March 19.
Taylor Frankie Paul pled guilty to aggravated assault in 2023
In February 2023, Paul was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to police.
According to People, local news station KSL and the Salt Lake Tribune, Paul later entered a plea of abeyance to the aggravated assault charge. While the other criminal charges were dropped, the aggravated assault charge will reportedly remain for three years until she meets the conditions of her guilty plea.
Paul’s case has a review date in August, KSL previously reported. If she follows the terms of the agreement, which include supervised probation and avoiding violating the law for 36 months, the felony charge will be reduced to a class A misdemeanor.
A representative for Paul issued a statement to People magazine and Variety characterizing the reality star as the victim of abuse.
“After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” the statement read. “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives.”
“Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming,” the statement continued. “She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”