“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” Cast Members Break Silence on Taylor Frankie Paul's Domestic Assault Investigation

Layla Taylor and Miranda McWhorter posted statements one day after footage from 2023 was leaked, showing Paul attacking her ex, Dakota Mortensen

NEED TO KNOW

• The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars Layla Taylor and Miranda McWhorter shared statements responding to the domestic assault allegations involving Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen
• Their responses to the situation came one day after ABC canceled Paul’s season of The Bachelorette, days before it was expected to premiere
• The Draper Police Department told PEOPLE on Monday that there is an open “domestic assault investigation” into Paul and Mortensen, with whom she shares 2-year-old son Ever

Taylor Frankie Paul's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast mates are speaking out amid the ongoing open "domestic assault investigation" into Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.

On Friday, March 20, Layla Taylor took to her Instagram Stories to share her statement, writing, "My personal history as a survivor makes it impossible for me to stay silent. I stand firmly against domestic violence in any form."

Referring to Paul's three children — son Ever, 2, whom she shares with Mortensen, and her two kids with ex-husband Tate Paul, son Ocean, 5, and daughter Indy, 8 — Taylor concluded, "I am keeping her children in my thoughts, hoping for their safety above all else."

Within a minute of her post, fellow MomTok star Miranda McWhorter also shared a message on her Instagram Stories responding to the situation.

"I've honestly been a little at a loss for words trying to process this all. Everything has been really heavy to see. Domestic violence and abuse of any kind is something I take very seriously," Hope wrote. "As a human, and especially a mother, I cannot support that kind of behavior. My heart is with the children in this and I hope they're safe, supported, and surrounded by love."

On Monday, March 16, a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that there is an open "domestic assault investigation" regarding Paul and Mortensen. The spokesperson confirmed "allegations have been made in both directions" and "contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th." The spokesperson declined to share more amid the ongoing investigation.

Taylor and Hope shared their statements one day after ABC canceled Paul's season of The Bachelorette three days before it was set to premiere. On Thursday, March 19, a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson issued a statement announcing the cancellation of the show's 22nd season after a 2023 video showed Paul throwing chairs at Mortensen.

“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family," the spokesperson said. 

A spokesperson for Paul said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, "Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm."

"There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story."

TMZ originally posted the video of Paul attacking Mortensen in front of her daughter, Indy. “This is called physical abuse,” Mortensen said while filming the physical altercation, which escalated as she threw chairs at him. As they continued fighting and yelling, Paul's child could be heard crying. At one point in the footage, Mortensen exclaims, “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.” 

The MomTok star was previously arrested for alleged domestic violence in 2023 following an argument with Mortensen. The 2023 indictment obtained by PEOPLE alleged that Paul threw “heavy, metal chairs” at Mortensen, and Paul's daughter was struck by a chair during the incident, which matches what occurs in the video shared by TMZ. She pled guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault, which means that if she complies with the conditions of the plea, that charge will be dismissed. Meanwhile, the other charges have already been dismissed.

Following the release of the video, a spokesperson for Paul told PEOPLE, “It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child. Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son's birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show, and from their own experiences."

In his own statement to PEOPLE, Mortensen said, "As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same."

On Monday, March 16, multiple sources confirmed to PEOPLE that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives halted filming for season 5. One insider cited "some pretty serious stuff happening" regarding Paul's past.

"They will see what happens," the source added. "Until that resolves, they are off."

Another source close to the cast confirmed to PEOPLE that the fellow members of MomTok are distancing themselves from Paul as the situation continues to unfold. "None of the women want to be associated with her," the source noted.

On Tuesday, March 17, Mortensen filed for a protective order against Paul, per court docs obtained by PEOPLE. A hearing is set for April 7.

Multiple sources previously told PEOPLE that the exes continue to co-parent Ever. "His number one priority here is protecting [their 2-year-old son], Ever," a rep for Mortensen told Entertainment Weekly on March 18.

"He knew there was a possibility it could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor," the rep continued. "It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well."

A source close to the mom of three previously denied to PEOPLE that the reality TV star was “violent” during the February incidents and said that she was “focused” on the expected Bachelorette premiere. She broke her silence following the news of the investigation at a press preview of her since-canceled dating show stint on March 17.

"Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time," she told PEOPLE exclusively. "Just the timing is hard, and it's a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I've experienced, I've never enjoyed fully, so this is another one… it's extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today."

Those close to Paul are reportedly concerned for her, as a source with knowledge of the situation told PEOPLE. The insider claimed Paul calls Mortensen “all the time,” often between the hours of 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.

“We’re all worried for Taylor’s well-being,” said the source. “We want Taylor to get the help she needs.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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