Full Breakdown
Utah Judge Expands Supervised Visitation for Reality Star Taylor Frankie Paul Amid Mutual Protective Orders
5/8/2026, 10:53:49 PM
Expanded Supervised Visitation on Mother’s Day
On Sunday, May 10, 2026, Commissioner Russell Minas ordered Taylor Frankie Paul receive 11.5 hours of supervised parent-time with her two-year-old son Ever, from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and raise her weekly visitation from eight to twelve hours, to be split into three four-hour blocks.
Legal Context and Protective Orders
On April 30, 2026, the Third District Court issued three-year protective orders for Paul and Dakota Mortensen, mandating a 100-foot separation and criminal penalties for violations. Both also hold permanent restraining orders from domestic-violence allegations. DCFS is conducting mental-health and substance-abuse assessments as part of a court-ordered safety plan.
Timeline of Court Actions
- April 30, 2026 – Mutual three-year protective orders issued.
- May 8, 2026 – Court filing expands visitation.
- May 10, 2026 – Mother’s Day supervised visit (11.5 hours).
- June 1, 2026 – Hearing on long-term custody.
Visitation and Order Details
Weekly supervised visitation now totals 12 hours, up from eight, and must occur in three four-hour blocks to promote bonding. Mother’s Day allows 11.5 hours of contact. Protective orders remain for three years with a 100-foot distance requirement enforceable criminally.
Official Statements & Judicial Rationale
Commissioner Minas emphasized that frequent, supervised contact is essential for the child’s development and that the court expects the DCFS mental-health and substance-abuse assessments to inform a longer-term parenting plan. He warned that ongoing parental conflict could create a cycle of violence affecting the child for generations and urged both parents to cooperate.
Criticism of Conduct
Minas labeled Dakota’s behavior as “calculating” and “manipulative” for recording physical altercations, rejecting his claim that the recordings were merely evidence-preserving. By contrast, the judge described Taylor’s outbursts as “reactive” rather than premeditated.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Draper City Attorney and Salt Lake County District Attorney declined to file criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence. Nonetheless, the final custody arrangement remains pending the DCFS assessment results, leaving the long-term parenting plan unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Given the age of the child, Mother’s parent-time preferably should be exercised in three (3) four-hour blocks, dependent upon supervisor availability, which would allow for more frequent visits per week and fewer days in between parent-time sessions,” — Court document
- “You two need to stay away from each other and there needs to be orders that will result in consequences if you attempt to engage each other because I still think you have this attraction to each other, physical or otherwise.” — Commissioner Russell Minas
- “The judge described Dakota’s behavior as “calculating” and “manipulative” for recording their physical fights.” — Court filing
- “He told them they need to find a way to work together because they are stuck with each other for life.” — Commissioner Russell Minas
What’s Next
The June 1 hearing will consider the DCFS assessment findings before the court issues a definitive long-term parenting plan. Until then, supervised visitation and the three-year protective orders remain in effect.
