Reality TV star Taylor Frankie Paul discusses custody dispute on Instagram

Taylor Frankie Paul, known from the series "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," posted on Instagram Stories on July 2, saying she spent the day "crying and fighting" for her children after they were returned to her by their father. She said the children had been taken back the previous day and expressed excitement about spending time with her, but she described the situation as confusing and distressing for them.

Earlier, her ex-husband Tate Paul had filed for a temporary restraining order and sought custody of their 8-year-old daughter Indy and 5-year-old son Ocean on June 30. Commissioner Kim Luhn denied the request, noting that the children's academic and emotional concerns required ongoing attention and could not be resolved by an emergency custody order.

Paul also referenced a recent voluntary stay in a rehabilitation facility, suggesting that her ex-husband's actions were linked to that period. She alleged "abuse by proxy" and accused an unnamed former partner of coercive control, claiming he had misrepresented her experiences.

The custody dispute follows prior legal issues, including a 2023 domestic-violence arrest for which Paul pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault, and a February domestic-assault investigation involving her former boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. Mortensen obtained custody of their son Ever True in April, and a judge later adjusted the custody arrangement, granting Paul supervised visitation and shared weekend time.

Paul indicated that a police officer was present during a child-custody exchange with Mortensen, describing the ongoing situation as emotionally taxing.