Taylor Frankie Paul Domestic Violence: What Really Happened Behind the MomTok Drama

If you’ve spent more than five minutes on TikTok over the last couple of years, you know Taylor Frankie Paul. She’s the face of MomTok, the woman who basically broke the internet when she started talking about "soft-swinging" in her quiet Utah suburb. But things took a dark, very real turn away from the viral dances and aesthetic kitchen counters. In early 2023, the headlines shifted from scandals about marriage to something much heavier: a police report.

The Taylor Frankie Paul domestic violence case wasn't just another piece of influencer gossip. It was a messy, high-stakes legal situation that involved actual 911 calls, bodycam footage, and a five-year-old child getting caught in the crossfire. People were shocked. Honestly, it changed the way a lot of fans viewed the "perfect" lives of these Mormon influencers.

The Night Everything Boiled Over

It happened on February 17, 2023. Taylor and her boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, had been out. They got home to Herriman, Utah, and things just... exploded.

According to the probable cause statement, they were arguing. Loudly. When Dakota tried to leave the house to de-escalate, Taylor allegedly wouldn't let him. The police report says she started hitting him and throwing things. We aren't talking about a pillow or a TV remote. We’re talking about metal barstools.

Heavy ones.

One of those stools hit Dakota. But another one hit her daughter, Indie, who was just five years old at the time and lying on the couch. That’s the part that really gutted people. Seeing a "mom-fluencer" whose entire brand is built on motherhood face charges for hurting her own kid? It was a lot for the internet to process.

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The Charges and the Bodycam Footage

When the Herriman City Police Department arrived, the scene was chaotic. Taylor was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail. The initial list of charges looked incredibly grim:

• Two felony counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child.
• One felony count of aggravated assault.
• Misdemeanor child abuse.
• Criminal mischief.

The bodycam footage eventually made its way to the public. You see a side of Taylor that isn’t curated or filtered. She’s distraught. She’s "hammered," according to some reports. It was a stark reminder that behind the "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" drama, there were real people struggling with alcohol and mental health.

Dakota didn't actually call 911 himself. He later told reporters he didn't want any of this to happen, but neighbors heard the commotion. In Utah, once the cops are called for domestic violence, they have to make an arrest if they see evidence of a crime. They don't just walk away because you’re famous.

How the Legal Case Actually Ended

You might be wondering if she’s in prison. The answer is no. In August 2023, Taylor reached a plea deal.

Basically, she pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault. In exchange, the other charges—including the domestic violence and child abuse counts—were dismissed. It’s what’s called a "plea in abeyance."

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What does that mean for her?

Basically, she’s on supervised probation for 36 months. If she keeps her nose clean until August 2026, the felony will be reduced to a misdemeanor on her record. She had to do a domestic violence evaluation and a substance abuse treatment program. She also spent one day in jail, which was credited as time served.

Life After the Arrest

Kinda surprisingly, Taylor and Dakota stayed together. They didn't just stay together; they had a baby boy named Ever in early 2024. If you watch the Hulu show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, you see a lot of the fallout. Taylor has been pretty open about how that night was her "rock bottom."

She’s mentioned in interviews that the Taylor Frankie Paul domestic violence incident might have actually saved her life. It forced her to address her drinking and the "misery" she was drowning in after her divorce from Tate Paul.

There are still a lot of critics. People don't forget when a child gets hurt, even if it was an accident during a fight. The MomTok group itself fractured. Some girls stood by her; others distanced themselves to protect their own brands. It created a massive rift that is still playing out on social media today.

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Why This Matters Beyond the Headlines

This case isn't just about a TikTok star. It highlights how quickly things can spiral when someone is dealing with untreated trauma, public scrutiny, and substance use. It also shows that the "perfect" lives we see on our feeds are often masking some pretty deep pain.

If you’re following this story, here are some actionable ways to look at the situation:

1. Look past the aesthetic. Remember that social media is a highlight reel. Even the people who seem to have it all are often struggling with very human issues.
2. Understand the legalities. In many states, including Utah, domestic violence laws are strict. Even if a victim doesn't want to press charges, the state can and will move forward to protect children.
3. Support resources. If you or someone you know is in a situation involving domestic volatility, don't wait for a "rock bottom" like this. Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
4. Hold influencers accountable. It’s okay to enjoy the content, but it’s also okay to expect a level of responsibility from people with millions of followers.

Taylor Frankie Paul is currently working through her probation. Whether she’s truly changed is something only time will tell, but her story serves as a loud, clear warning about the reality behind the "Mormon Wives" facade.

If you want to understand the full timeline of the swinging scandal that led up to this, you should look into the "soft-swinging" confession from 2022 that started the whole chain reaction.

Next Steps: You might want to research the specific terms of a "plea in abeyance" in Utah to see exactly what requirements Taylor has to meet to clear her record by 2026.