[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
Dakota Mortensen is speaking out after it was confirmed his ex Taylor Frankie Paul won’t face charges after several domestic violence allegations.
The DadTok star took to his Instagram on Sunday to share that his main focus right now is to be “the best father” to the couple’s 2-year-old son Ever that he can be. Acknowledging the “chaos” of the last few weeks, he wrote:
“Over the past several weeks, I’ve taken a step back and had time away from the chaos. That space has been a breath of fresh air and has given me clarity. My focus now is where it should have been all along — on my son and creating a stable, healthy environment for him moving forward.”
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Referencing his on-again, off-again romance with Taylor, he continued:
“I regret not stepping away from a difficult cycle sooner. I’m not perfect, and I take accountability for my part. I’m sincerely sorry to those I’ve hurt.”
That said, he’s got complaints:
“At the same time, I don’t agree with how this situation has been portrayed publicly. It does not reflect the full context of what occurred or the impact it has had on me and my son.”
INNERESTINGLY, Dakota also said he’s stepped away from the spotlight! Um… permanently? Does he just mean he walked away during this media crisis — or that he’s now moving away from it all?! He dished:
“I’ve chosen to step away from the spotlight to focus on my family, my growth, and our healing, and that’s where my energy will remain. I’m closing an unhealthy chapter and moving forward with hope for better days ahead. I’m grateful for all of the encouragement and support I’ve received, and I’m committed to showing up in a way that reflects that. My intention, over time and when appropriate, is to use what I’ve learned in a way that supports others navigating similar situations.”
Whoa…
We’ll be stunned if he’s done with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, social media, and his other media opportunities for good. But maybe this really was the final straw? What does that mean for production of the next season?? Hmm.
For now, he’s just going to be doing what’s best for Ever, he ended his message:
“For now, my priority is on showing up as the best father I can be for Ever.”
Dakota also shared information for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. See it:
View this post on Instagram
As Perezcious readers know, Dakota and Taylor have had an incredibly toxic romance over the years, including her 2023 arrest after a domestic violence altercation. They made fresh allegations against each other for instances happening in February, thrusting their concerning dynamic back in the spotlight, leading to the cancellation of her season of The Bachelorette. It’s been a very messy, stressful, and complex few weeks for them as they’ve battled in court. But Dakota’s not the only one speaking out.
Taylor also took to IG to share her thoughts on this legal debacle. Posting several mirror selfies highlighting her body, she wrote on Sunday:
“Here come the ugly parts of what healing actually looks like. If you know me you know I’ll admit my parts, flaws and faults. I’m well aware that’s a part of it. We’ll get there.”
She continued:
“This public atrocity that I not only lived through once but twice now, on even a bigger scale was ultimately the cost to my freedom. I wouldn’t wish this upon my worst enemy or even the ones who publicized it. I cried on my knees in pain while also saying THANK YOU
.”
.”The 31-year-old influencer continued:
“We have a road ahead but regardless I’m forever freed from a certain living hell I couldn’t find my way out of. Somehow I’m still here… as we can see barely because I believe God held me through and sent help plus an army which makes me cry because, thank you to all of you that supported even without full context
God undoubtedly had a hand in this because after waiting 7 weeks on the 7th day EXACTLY I received the call all charges dropped. …We’re working on eating, movement, rest, and retraining the nervous system. I’ll be sharing the process, because if my worst is shared, better bet I’ll share the rebuilding, too.”
View this post on Instagram
So refreshing to hear her so focused on her healing and well-being.
In a follow-up in her Story, she got even more candid, revealing she was “diagnosed with PTSD about two years ago which I assume is now cptsd [Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder]…by more than one therapist for all those that assumed diagnoses.” According to the Cleveland Clinic, CPTSD stems from “chronic trauma, such as prolonged child abuse or domestic violence.”
The mother of three also shared videos from 2024 and 2025 (below), highlighting what anxiety and disassociation looks like for her:
View this post on Instagram
In another clip, she did her makeup for an event while crying, calling herself a master “of smiling through” the pain. But based on her “alarm clock sound,” which she posted, she’s not giving up. She wakes up every morning to a motivational speech about results, calling it “the side of me that refuses to quit.”
They’ve clearly both been through a lot, much of which we all uncomfortably watched play out on screen. We hope for their sakes and their son’s that they can find a way to move forward peacefully.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to https://www.thehotline.org/.
[Image via Dakota Mortensen/Taylor Frankie Paul/Instagram]
