Taylor Frankie Paul Arrest: Bodycam Footage Shows Ex Asking Cops to Arrest Him Instead
Newly released footage from the night of Taylor Frankie Paul’s 2023 arrest depicts a chaotic scene at her Utah home, including her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, requesting police arrest him instead of her. The video, obtained by TMZ, captures the escalating argument between Paul and Mortensen as officers responded to a reported domestic incident.
As officers arrived, Paul initially claimed “nothing” was happening, while Mortensen asserted she was intoxicated. The footage shows Paul stumbling and crying as she moved through the house. According to TMZ, officers separated the pair and learned from Paul that she had been at a girls’ night, a claim Mortensen corroborated, stating the argument began after he picked her up.
Mortensen detailed alleged injuries, telling officers, “She’s struggling…She’s going through a lot. I can’t even tell you any of the stuff that just happened. I think my finger’s broken, dude.” He too inquired about a possible injury to his elbow, claiming Paul had struck him with a metal chair. This aligns with previously released video showing Paul throwing a chair at Mortensen, with her daughter reportedly present and distressed, according to reports from People magazine.
Mortensen further alleged that the altercation began after he attempted to leave when Paul expressed a desire to join him and his friends at a concert. He stated that upon arriving home, he tried to depart, but Paul then began physically assaulting him. Later in the video, Mortensen directly asked the officer, “Why can’t it be me? Can I proceed?” and reiterated his belief that Paul was in need of help, stating she “has been through so much.”
The responding officer determined Paul was the “primary aggressor” and informed Mortensen he would not be arrested, offering him a form to document his account of the events. The officer cautioned Mortensen that the situation was potentially dangerous and couldn’t be resolved quickly. Mortensen responded, “That’s kind of just how it’s been, too, with her.”
A subsequent video released by TMZ shows the officer questioning Mortensen by phone, specifically asking if he recalled Paul “peeing her pants” during the incident. Mortensen responded that he hadn’t noticed, as he was focused on dealing with items thrown at him in his truck. The officer explained that involuntary urination is a common response to trauma in such situations, prompting the inquiry.
Paul was arrested following the incident and, in August 2023, pleaded guilty in abeyance to an aggravated assault charge. Misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child were dismissed, according to reports. The Draper City Police Department confirmed on March 16, 2026, that they were investigating Paul for alleged domestic assault occurring on February 24 and 25, noting that allegations had been made by both parties.
The controversy surrounding Paul led to ABC’s decision to cancel the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” days before its scheduled premiere, and production of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” was halted. Representatives for Mortensen and Paul have been contacted for comment by Entertainment Weekly, but have not yet responded.