The Shocking Truth: What Happened After Taylor Frankie Paul Was Arrested And Her New Reality TV Comeback

The arrest of Taylor Frankie Paul, a prominent Mormon TikTok influencer and star of *Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, sent shockwaves across the "MomTok" community in early 2023. Her public image, already controversial from a previous "soft-swinging" scandal, was shattered by charges of domestic violence and child abuse. This article, updated as of December 10, 2025, details the full legal fallout, the specifics of her plea deal, and her surprising and highly publicized return to the spotlight on a major reality television franchise. The intense media scrutiny surrounding the incident in Herriman, Utah, focused on the stark contrast between her online persona and the serious nature of the charges, which included aggravated assault. After months of legal proceedings, Paul reached a definitive court resolution, which laid the groundwork for her subsequent career moves, cementing her status as one of social media’s most controversial and resilient figures.

Biography and Profile: Who is Taylor Frankie Paul?

Taylor Frankie Paul rose to fame as a lifestyle and "MomTok" content creator, sharing relatable, faith-based, and family-oriented videos that resonated with millions. Her public persona, however, began to shift dramatically with a series of high-profile personal revelations.

• Full Name: Taylor Frankie Paul
• Date of Birth: May 23, 1994
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 31
• Place of Birth: Pueblo, Colorado / Utah, U.S.
• Primary Residence: Utah, U.S.
• Occupation: TikTok Star, Social Media Influencer, Content Creator, Reality Television Personality
• Known For: Creating the "MomTok" content niche; starring in the Hulu reality series *Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*; and her highly-publicized "soft-swinging" scandal.
• Children: Two children from her first marriage.

Paul's career trajectory is marked by a move from wholesome family content to embracing a more controversial, tell-all style, particularly after her divorce and the revelation of a "soft-swinging" arrangement within her close-knit Mormon friend group in 2022. This pivot led to increased fame, securing her a spot on the reality show *Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*.

The February 2023 Domestic Violence Arrest and Charges

The incident that led to Taylor Frankie Paul's arrest occurred in February 2023 at her home in Herriman, Utah. The altercation involved her then-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, and resulted in several serious charges being filed against the influencer. The Herriman Police Department booked Paul on multiple charges, including three counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, one count of aggravated assault, and one count of child abuse with injury. The severity of the charges stemmed from the nature of the physical altercation. According to court documents, the domestic dispute escalated when Paul allegedly threw a metal chair. This chair, tragically, did not only strike Mortensen but also hit Paul's young daughter, Indy, causing minor injuries. The presence of her children during the alleged assault was a key factor in the filing of child abuse charges, drawing significant public backlash and media attention to the case. Paul was released hours after her arrest, pending a court date.

The Plea Deal and Final Court Sentence

The legal proceedings for Taylor Frankie Paul concluded with a plea agreement that provided a definitive resolution to the high-profile case. This outcome is the most current and authoritative update on her legal status. In August 2023, six months after the initial arrest, Paul reached a plea deal with prosecutors. As part of this agreement, she pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony. In exchange for the guilty plea, the other charges, including the three counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child and the child abuse with injury charge, were dismissed by the court. The final sentencing delivered by the court was notably lenient, especially given the initial severity of the charges. Paul was sentenced to one day in jail, with credit for time served. This meant she did not have to serve any additional jail time beyond the few hours she spent in custody following her initial arrest. Additionally, she was ordered to complete a period of probation and attend domestic violence treatment and counseling. The plea deal allowed Paul to avoid a potentially lengthy and damaging trial, but it required her to take responsibility for the aggravated assault charge. She has since publicly discussed the incident, expressing remorse and stating she has been working on herself following the tumultuous period.

From Courtroom to Camera: The Surprising Reality TV Comeback

Despite the serious nature of her legal troubles, Taylor Frankie Paul has successfully leveraged her notoriety into a massive career resurgence, demonstrating her ability to navigate and capitalize on public scandal. Her current status as of late 2024 and 2025 is dominated by her return to reality television. Paul, already a cast member on *Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, was announced as the new star of Season 22 of a major reality dating show, *The Bachelorette*. This announcement, made in September, immediately sparked a significant amount of controversy and discussion among fans and critics alike, who debated the ethics of casting someone with a recent domestic violence conviction as the lead of a major show. Her selection for the reality dating show is a clear sign that her public narrative is shifting from a focus on the arrest to a story of "fresh start" and redemption, a theme that often drives reality television programming. Paul's willingness to openly discuss her past, including the domestic violence arrest and the preceding "soft-swinging" drama, has kept her in the public eye and maintained her relevance as a high-profile influencer. Her continued presence on social media and reality TV, combined with the definitive legal resolution of her case, means Taylor Frankie Paul remains a central figure in the ongoing discussion about online fame, accountability, and the complexities of modern Mormon life. Her journey from "MomTok" star to convicted assaulter to reality TV lead is a unique and compelling case study in the power of public relations and the reality television machine.