Taylor Frankie Paul has been dominating the headlines for her past scandal and controversy, especially surrounding her 2023 arrest after a heated altercation with her then-partner, Dakota Mortensen. The situation escalated on March 19, 2026, after TMZ released a video showing the two in a physical fight, with Paul seen throwing a chair at Mortensen. The footage quickly went viral, and soon after, The Bachelorette was abruptly pulled from its March 22 premiere.
Amid the heated controversy, details from her 2023 assessment have resurfaced, where reports revealed that Taylor had been labelled an "intermediate problem drinker". The MomTok star had reportedly even admitted that she remembered bits and pieces of her violent attack.
The incident dates back to February 2023, when the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star was arrested following a heated fight at home. According to reports and later-released footage, the situation between Paul and Mortensen escalated quickly, and Paul allegedly hit, kicked, and threw objects, including metal chairs, at Mortensen. Even more disturbingly, a child believed to be present during the incident could be heard crying in the background.
The child was believed to be the reality star's daughter, which raised severity about the situation. Authorities later charged her with multiple offenses, including assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child. Taylor Frankie Paul later entered a plea in abeyance for an aggravated assault charge in August 2025.
Shortly after Paul's arrest, a mental health and substance abuse assessment was conducted on her in March 2023 to obtain a deeper insight into her state of mind that night. According to court documents, the reality star told evaluators that she had been drinking vodka that night while hanging out with her friends. It was allegedly the first drink she had had in months, as she was abstaining from alcohol. However, she could not recall how much alcohol she had consumed during the night out.
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Taylor admitted that she remembered only bits and pieces of events that occurred after returning home that night. While she could remember feeling emotional, she could not recall much about the time she attacked Dakota. The assessment also mentioned that children were present in her home when their argument turned violent. The mental health assessment says:
“Both of the children were sleeping, her son was upstairs in his room, and her daughter was asleep on the couch downstairs (where the incident occurred). Ms. Paul reported that her daughter woke up after or during the altercation (and she reported that she checked to make sure her daughter was ok).”
After the assessment, Paul was labelled an "intermediate problem drinker" who also showed signs of anxiety and mild depression. After her plea in abeyance to an aggravated assault charge in August 2025, she was allowed to avoid harsher penalties if she complied with the court's conditions. Four other charges were reportedly dismissed, and she was advised rehabilitation. She was recommended a parenting class to “learn to manage stress and anxiety around her children” and advised to attend parenting and alcohol education programs.
The controversy surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul's scandals resurfaced after reports claimed that she and Dakota were involved in a physical altercation over consecutive nights just weeks ago. TMZ noted that during the incident, Taylor allegedly grabbed Dakota's throat, pulled off his necklace, and scratched his neck, all while their child was at home. A friend alerted police after noticing injuries, which were later confirmed. Authorities are now investigating, and conflicting accounts have emerged about another argument during a car ride involving a spilled drink.
Taylor was previously married to Tate Paul and later dated Dakota Mortensen, with whom she shares two children, Indy and Ocean. As the video gained traction, Dakota addressed the situation, saying he was "used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny." He added that his priority is his son Ever’s safety and expressed hope that Taylor would focus on the same.
Meanwhile, Taylor's representative told PEOPLE that she was grateful for the support she has been getting, and she is grateful for ABC's support in this fight. Her main priority now is to ensure her family's security and "currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story."
What are your thoughts on this controversy? Let us know.
Also Read: Who Is Doug Manson? Caught Taylor Frankie Paul's Eyes, Got Engaged, Their Breakup Has An Ex Factor?
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