Taylor Frankie Paul Says She's 'Emotionally Numb' Amid Dakota Legal Drama
Taylor Frankie Paul is detailing the emotional fallout of her continued legal battle with ex Dakota Mortensen.
"Tbh I've gone emotionally numb," The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, 32, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Saturday, June 13, responding to a fan who wrote, "I'm going through your exact situation I wish I could talk more on it! I'm so stuck."
"I don't know what to say anymore other than I'm right there with a lot of you," Paul continued. "Wish I could be more helpful. Not sure when the nervous system switched… I can't even cry lately which is very unlike me."
She concluded, "There is emotional overwhelm or numbness, both are coping mechanisms."
Paul and Mortensen, 33, are currently in a contentious custody battle over their son, Ever, following alleged domestic violence incidents and allegations. After Mortensen alleged Paul had been physically violent with him earlier this year, he filed for and granted custody of the pair's child. (Paul also shares two kids with her ex husband, Tate Paul.)
According to court documents obtained by TMZ at the time, Mortensen claimed that he and Paul had an altercation at her house in February where The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star allegedly choked him and shoved him into a window. He claimed that Paul was "emotionally volatile" and was fearful for their toddler's safety. Paul has vehemently denied the allegations of child abuse.
A judge awarded Mortensen temporary physical custody of Ever and a restraining order. Paul also filed for and was granted a protective order against Mortensen, claiming Mortensen assaulted her in his truck. The former couple have been ordered to stay at least 100 feet away from each other.
On June 1, a judge recommended Paul no longer adhere to supervised visits with her son.
"I'm encouraged and I think we're moving in the right direction," the judge said during a virtual court hearing. "From now until the next hearing, I'm going to recommend supervision be lifted." The judge also ruled that Paul can have her son Ever on alternative weekends and one midweek day as long as the child does not spend the night.
"We want that day to be consistent so we are on a set schedule," the Judge added, before adding the pair's allegations.
"I certainly think that both of them have a sense that they are the victims and not the perpetrators and I get that," the judge said. "The main concern of the court is to prevent further acts of domestic violence and we can have the hope that we see the parents being in the same place getting along, but now is not that time."
One day before the judge issued his recommendation, Paul opened up about how difficult it has been for the exes to successfully coparent amid their split and dueling allegations.
"I think all the projects and redoing is a fresh start, but mainly a coping mechanism to distract from the fact my baby hasn't been here form months now, aside visits," she wrote via Instagram on May 31.
The former couple is scheduled to appear in court for another custody hearing on July 8.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
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This story was originally published June 13, 2026 at 9:30 AM.