Taylor Frankie Paul’s ex-husband, Tate Paul, asked police about getting a protective order for the former couple’s children after her 2023 domestic violence arrest.
In a phone call audio and transcripts obtained by Us Weekly on Friday, March 27, Tate asked Utah police to clarify what legal protections were put in place for his children following Taylor’s arrest.
In February 2023, Taylor was accused of striking her then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen and throwing multiple chairs, one of which allegedly struck her daughter, Indy. (Taylor and Tate welcomed daughter Indy May, 8, and son Ocean, 5, before splitting in May 2022. The Mormon Wives star also shares a son, Ever True, 2, with Dakota.)
“That was one thing I didn’t understand. There’s a no contact order for [redacted]. Usually they do it for both children that are in the home, right?” Tate said on the call.
After the police officer confirmed that was usually how it worked, Tate continued, “Okay, because I didn’t see a protective order against [redacted]. She’s been like, obviously trying to contact [redacted] as well, just given her mental state…”
The officer explained that an initial “jail release agreement” was likely put in place, which meant the alleged offender was “not allowed to make contact with the potential victims for up to, like, a week, usually.”
He added that Tate was also able to apply for a full protective order to protect his children, which is a more long-term option.
In the same phone call, Tate detailed some of his daughter’s injuries from the incident, claiming his daughter had a bump on the head from Taylor’s chair-throwing incident. He also asked police to contact him directly about the case as opposed to Taylor’s mother Liann May, who he accused of “coaching” his daughter following the dispute.
Us Weekly has reached out to Taylor’s, Tate’s and Liann’s representatives for comment.
In 2023, Taylor was initially charged with misdemeanor assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child following her altercation with Dakota. After Taylor agreed to plead guilty to aggravated assault, the other charges were dismissed.
The case resurfaced earlier this month amid the release of cellphone footage of the 2023 domestic dispute, where Taylor could be seen throwing chairs during an argument with Dakota. Taylor’s spokesperson later suggested that the footage was selectively edited.
“It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child,” her spokesperson told TMZ on March 19. “Releasing an old and selectively edited video on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.”
Dakota’s rep told Us, “As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
After the footage resurfaced, ABC axed Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette three days before it was scheduled to premiere.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” her rep told Us at the time. “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.”
