Everything We Know About the Taylor Frankie Paul Incident in 30+ Photos

The footage was never supposed to go public. Now, it has cost Taylor Frankie Paul everything she spent the last two years building.

The reality TV star was supposed to be handing out roses this weekend, but instead, she is reeling from a PR nightmare that has effectively deleted her latest TV gig.

Just three days before her season of "The Bachelorette" was set to premiere, a dark ghost from her past returned to end the party — and the 30+ photos below tell the full story.

The Resurfaced Violence

On March 19, 2026, TMZ shook the entertainment world by releasing a video that was previously only seen by investigators. The clip shows Taylor repeatedly attacking her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, during a vicious 2023 struggle.

In the video, Dakota desperately tries to record the fight on his phone while Taylor puts him in a suffocating headlock. After backing off momentarily, she charges again to kick him.

The situation turns even more dangerous when Taylor grabs a metal barstool and hurls it at Dakota. Despite Dakota screaming, "Your daughter is sitting right there," Taylor persists and throws two more stools toward him.

A 5-Year-Old Was Hurt During the Altercation

As the heavy stools fly, the video captures the sound of a child, who had been curled up on the couch, beginning to cry. According to the police report, the 5-year-old girl was hit and later had a "goose egg on her head."

This specific detail contradicts Taylor's later claims on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast. In September 2025, she told host Alex Cooper, "I never had hurt my daughter. I never intentionally did anything with my children."

Details of the 2023 Arrest

The Herriman City Police Department confirmed the incident occurred on Friday, February 17, 2023, at approximately 11:00 p.m. Officers arrived at the home on West Rex Peak Way after a neighbor complained about the noise.

During the arrest, Taylor repeatedly yelled, "You threw me!" at Dakota. She later told police he had thrown her to the ground before the video recording began.

Taylor was initially booked on misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child. However, after detectives reviewed the video evidence, they screened for felony assault and reckless child abuse.

She was taken into custody and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail that night.

The Verdict and Probation

Taylor eventually pled guilty to felony aggravated assault and was placed on three years' probation. If she avoids further legal trouble until August 2026, the conviction will be wiped from her record.

As part of her deal, prosecutors dropped four other charges, including child abuse and criminal mischief. Despite this, an investigation by the Utah Division of Children and Family Services remains open.

Toxic On-Again, Off-Again Drama

Surprisingly, the relationship between Taylor and Dakota didn't end that night. According to People, the pair hooked up during a group trip in a later season of "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives."

Taylor admitted in a confessional that the reconciliation didn't "look the best" given her upcoming lead role. Dakota even claimed they slept together the night before she left to film "The Bachelorette."

The Career Fallout

The release of the video was the final nail in the coffin. ABC pulled the plug on the entire season of "The Bachelorette" just 72 hours before its premiere.

Production on her other show has also been frozen. Other cast members are reportedly refusing to film due to the ongoing drama surrounding Taylor's violent history.

Clashing Statements

Dakota told People the situation is "deeply upsetting" and denied Taylor's allegations of his own bad behavior. He also stated that he is focusing on their son's safety.

Taylor's representative fired back, accusing Dakota of releasing the footage, and called it a "reprehensible attempt to distract" from his own behavior. They claim he released the "selectively edited" video on their son's birthday just to harm her.

Taylor's Words

In a tearful interview with People shortly before the cancellation, Taylor admitted the timing was "unfortunate." She noted that she has never been able to fully enjoy a premiere due to her past.

"I'm struggling for sure," she admitted, though she tried to remain professional. She stated that showing up was the "right thing to do," even while her career was crumbling in real-time.

Taylor Frankie Paul built her name on "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," the reality show that turned Utah's Mormon momfluencer world into must-watch television.

By 2026, she had parlayed that platform into red carpet appearances, brand deals, and ultimately, a starring role on one of ABC's most iconic franchises.

She had attended the Oscars, appeared at the NBA All-Star Game, and was just days away from her "Bachelorette" premiere. It looked like a clean ascent — until it wasn't.

With her probation ending in August and two shows now stalled, what comes next for the reality star remains to be seen.