Taylor Frankie Paul’s Children Not Removed from Custody After 2023 Barstool Incident
Despite a violent 2023 altercation captured on video—where The Bachelorette Season 22 lead Taylor Frankie Paul threw barstools at ex Dakota Mortensen, inadvertently striking one of her children—Utah’s Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) did not remove her kids from her home, according to sources with direct knowledge.
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Join NowPaul shares two children with ex-husband Tate Paul. After the incident, Tate’s lawyer demanded full custody, which Taylor agreed to temporarily shift from joint to his primary custody.
She completed alcohol education classes and other requirements, regaining approximately 50% custody over six months.
Tate reportedly did not see the video until its public release and was outraged, believing it would have prompted stronger action, including child abuse charges. He was also denied access to the footage by police and DCFS, and Paul allegedly denied a child was struck.
Paul and Mortensen share a younger son, Ever (now around 2 years old). Amid ongoing allegations, including multiple DCFS complaints from Mortensen accusing Paul of child abuse, the pair shares custody of Ever during an open DCFS investigation.
Both have been ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluations. Recent developments include Mortensen filing a restraining order against Paul in March 2026, citing separate alleged incidents of violence, and requesting temporary sole custody of Ever.
The revelations come amid fallout from the video’s release, which led ABC to cancel Paul’s Bachelorette season days before its premiere. Paul’s team has emphasized her experiences with abusive ex-partners and her efforts to seek support.
The case highlights the complexities of child welfare decisions in domestic violence situations involving accidental harm to minors.
