Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services has petitioned a juvenile court to find that the three children of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul are abused, neglected or dependent.
The legal filing, which follows a series of recent home visits, has sparked a public dispute between the reality star and her children’s fathers.
DCFS Petitions for Protective Supervision
Utah officials filed a petition this week requesting that a juvenile court take jurisdiction over the three children of Taylor Frankie Paul. According to reporting by TMZ, the agency is seeking an expedited hearing regarding the immediate protection of the children. The filing asks the court to order protective supervision services and appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the children’s interests.
The agency’s move follows a series of documented interactions at Paul’s $1 million Utah home. The filing states that officials were forced to lock up the home after her departure.
Tate Paul and Dakota Mortensen Respond Through Counsel
The fathers of Paul’s children, Tate Paul and Dakota Mortensen, have retained attorney Chad Shattuck to represent their shared position. Shattuck issued a statement criticizing Paul’s legal team for characterizing the juvenile court proceedings as a routine matter for families.
“The petition filed by DCFS this week is not a routine transition to juvenile court or an opportunity for personal growth. DCFS has asked the Court to find that the children are abused and has requested an expedited hearing concerning their immediate protection.”
Chad Shattuck, lawyer for Tate Paul and Dakota Mortensen, via TMZ
Shattuck emphasized that his clients are deeply concerned that Taylor’s statement minimizes the gravity of the action filed by DCFS and her many underlying actions that prompted such.
Documented Concerns Over Therapy and Domestic Incidents
The DCFS petition outlines several areas of concern regarding Paul’s home life and her participation in court-ordered programs. Officials noted that Paul appeared escalated and dysregulated
when confronted about her lack of progress on a child and family plan.
The legal documents also revisit the 2023 domestic violence incident involving Mortensen, for which Paul entered an aggravated assault plea. The incident, captured on video, showed Paul throwing metal chairs during a dispute while her daughter was present.
Unresolved Questions and Future Proceedings
While Paul’s legal team has previously maintained that she is committed to resolving disputes in juvenile court, her representatives did not provide an immediate response to recent requests for comment regarding the specific DCFS allegations. The court must now weigh the agency’s petition alongside documented concerns from all parties involved.
With Paul currently on probation until next month following her 2023 arrest, the ongoing custody battle remains active. As the juvenile court prepares to review the case, the focus remains on whether the current protective measures are sufficient to ensure the children’s safety and well-being.
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