Taylor Frankie Paul, the 32-year-old star of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and the creator of the viral “MomTok” community on TikTok, has allegedly failed multiple court-ordered drug tests within the last 60 days, resulting in a judge reducing her parenting time to just eight hours per week. TMZ broke the story on September 16, 2026, citing sources familiar with the ongoing custody disputes between Paul, her ex-husband Tate Paul, and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
The court reportedly limited Paul to four hours per week with her two oldest children, 9-year-old daughter Indy and 6-year-old son Ocean, whom she shares with Tate, and a separate four hours per week with 2-year-old son Ever, whom she shares with Dakota. The specific substances she tested positive for have not been publicly identified, though TMZ’s sources said at least one “is not commonly available as a prescription medication.”
The reduction is a significant reversal. Just months earlier, a judge had expanded Paul’s parenting schedule to one weekday and alternating weekends, all unsupervised, marking what had appeared to be forward progress in a custody situation that has been defined by legal setbacks, domestic violence allegations, a felony guilty plea, and a DCFS petition questioning her fitness as a parent.
Sources close to Paul told TMZ that a strict gag order is in place in the case, and that her team views the leaking of information to the media as “a continuation of the harassment and intimidation Taylor’s experienced throughout the custody battle.”
This article covers every verified development in the case, from the failed drug tests through the full custody timeline, the domestic violence history, the DCFS involvement, and the impact on her television career.
What the Court Ordered After the Failed Drug Tests
The court’s response to the alleged failed drug tests was immediate and specific.
Taylor Frankie Paul allegedly failed multiple drug tests; parenting time cut.
Exclusive: https://t.co/EttGkmhNKb
— TMZ (@TMZ) September 16, 2026
New Parenting Time Order
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total weekly parenting time | 8 hours |
| Time with Indy (9) and Ocean (6) | 4 hours per week |
| Time with Ever (2) | 4 hours per week (separate) |
| Children’s father (Indy and Ocean) | Tate Paul (ex-husband) |
| Children’s father (Ever) | Dakota Mortensen (ex-boyfriend) |
| Previous arrangement | One weekday and alternating weekends, unsupervised |
| Number of failed tests | Multiple (within last 60 days) |
| Substances identified | Not publicly disclosed; at least one not commonly available as a prescription |
| Gag order | In place; Paul’s team says leaked info is harassment |
The shift from unsupervised weekdays and alternating weekends to eight total hours per week represents one of the most dramatic parenting-time reductions in the case’s history. For context, a typical alternating-weekend arrangement with one weekday visit would provide roughly 60 to 80 hours of parenting time per two-week cycle. Eight hours per week translates to approximately 16 hours per two-week cycle, a reduction of roughly 75 to 80 percent.
Taylor Frankie Paul’s Three Children and the Two Custody Cases
Paul is navigating two separate custody battles simultaneously, one with each of her former partners. Here is who the children are and where each case stands.
Taylor Frankie Paul’s Children
| Child | Age | Father | Custody Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indy (daughter) | 9 | Tate Paul (ex-husband) | Tate seeking sole legal and physical custody (filed June 2026) |
| Ocean (son) | 6 | Tate Paul (ex-husband) | Same petition as Indy |
| Ever (son) | 2 | Dakota Mortensen (ex-boyfriend) | Dakota is primary custodial parent; mutual protective orders in place |
The two cases involve different courts, different former partners, and different sets of circumstances, but the failed drug tests affect both simultaneously because the testing was court-ordered across both custody proceedings.
Full Timeline of the Custody Battles and Legal History
The legal complications surrounding Paul’s parenting have built over several years, beginning with the domestic violence incident in 2023 and escalating through 2026.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Paul is involved in a physical confrontation with Dakota Mortensen; security video shows her throwing metal barstools; police say one barstool struck daughter Indy |
| 2023 | Charged with aggravated assault (3rd-degree felony), domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse, and additional charges |
| 2023-2024 | Pleads guilty in abeyance to one count of aggravated assault; 4 other charges dropped |
| 2024 | Sentenced to 3 years of probation; court-mandated drug testing; ordered to obtain substance abuse and domestic violence evaluations |
| February 2025 | Probation audit conducted; Paul required to violate no laws, complete treatments, submit to drug testing, and not use alcohol or illegal drugs |
| February 2026 | Draper and West Jordan police departments in Utah open separate domestic violence investigations into alleged altercations between Paul and Mortensen |
| February 2026 | Neither party ultimately charged in the February incidents |
| April 2026 | Paul and Mortensen each granted mutual three-year protective orders |
| Spring 2026 | Judge expands Paul’s parenting schedule to one weekday and alternating weekends, unsupervised; Dakota remains Ever’s primary custodial parent |
| June 2026 | Tate Paul files for sole legal and physical custody of Indy and Ocean, citing the 2023 confrontation with Dakota |
| July 2026 | Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services files petition asking a court to determine that Paul’s three children have been “abused, neglected or dependent” |
| July 2026 | Tate and Dakota issue a joint statement about the ongoing proceedings |
| August 2026 | Tate petitions the court to unseal Taylor’s drug tests |
| August-September 2026 | Paul allegedly fails multiple court-ordered drug tests within a 60-day window |
| September 16, 2026 | TMZ reports that a judge has reduced Paul’s parenting time to 8 hours per week (4 with Indy and Ocean, 4 with Ever) |
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The 2023 Domestic Violence Incident That Started the Legal Spiral
The event that set the current custody crisis in motion occurred in 2023 when a security camera captured Paul in a physical confrontation with Dakota Mortensen.
The video, which was later obtained by TMZ and released publicly, showed Paul throwing metal barstools during the altercation. According to police, one of the barstools struck her daughter Indy, who was present during the incident.
Paul was initially charged with five offenses: one count of third-degree felony aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse, and two additional charges. She pleaded guilty in abeyance to the aggravated assault charge, meaning the conviction could be dismissed if she successfully completed the terms of her probation. The four remaining charges were dropped.
Her probation terms, set for three years, included mandatory drug testing, a requirement to avoid breaking any laws, substance abuse and domestic violence evaluations, and a prohibition on alcohol or illegal drug use. Prosecutors reportedly offered to end her probation early at one point, but Paul declined and agreed to remain under supervision for the full term.
The video’s public release in early 2026 had cascading consequences. Paul’s scheduled season of The Bachelorette was postponed indefinitely by ABC. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 5 production was temporarily paused. And both Tate and Dakota took legal steps to restrict her parenting time.
The DCFS Petition That Raised the Stakes
In July 2026, the situation escalated further when Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services filed a petition directly with the court.
The DCFS petition asked a judge to intervene and determine that all three of Paul’s children, Indy, Ocean, and Ever, had been “abused, neglected or dependent.” The filing represented government involvement beyond the two private custody cases.
According to The Ashley’s Reality Roundup, the DCFS petition cited concerns raised during previous visits about Paul’s “fitness as a parent” and “the children’s safety under her care.” One reported incident occurred when Paul allegedly “stormed out” of her home while her children and DCFS agents were present.
Following the DCFS filing, Tate Paul and Dakota Mortensen issued an unusual joint statement about the proceedings. The two former partners, who have no direct relationship with each other beyond their shared connection to Paul, apparently found enough common ground in their concern for the children to speak publicly together.
Taylor’s Response Through Her Team and the Gag Order
Paul has not publicly addressed the drug test allegations directly. Her public-facing response has come exclusively through sources close to her who spoke to TMZ.
Those sources emphasized two points. First, that a strict gag order is in place in the custody proceedings, meaning neither party is supposed to be discussing the case publicly. Second, that Paul’s team views any information leaked to the media as “a continuation of the harassment and intimidation Taylor’s experienced throughout the custody battle.”
The framing positions the leaked drug test results as a violation of the gag order rather than a factual development to be addressed on its merits. Whether the court views it the same way remains to be seen. The gag order’s existence means any party who provided information to TMZ could theoretically face contempt sanctions.
Paul recently revealed in a separate public statement that she is currently “single and celibate” following the collapse of her Bachelorette opportunity and the protective orders with Mortensen.
The Impact on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and Paul’s TV Career
The failed drug tests add another layer of complication to Paul’s television career, which has been simultaneously thriving and under threat throughout 2026.
Taylor Frankie Paul: Television and Career Timeline
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2020-2022 | Builds “MomTok” following on TikTok; becomes one of the platform’s most recognizable mom influencers |
| 2022 | The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is ordered by Hulu |
| 2022-2024 | Stars in Seasons 1-4 of SLOMW as a primary cast member |
| 2025 | Season 5 of SLOMW released; Mikayla Matthews departs from the show, referencing “problematic” behavior on set |
| Early 2026 | Selected as a contestant for The Bachelorette on ABC |
| February 2026 | Domestic violence video released publicly; Bachelorette season postponed indefinitely |
| 2026 | Season 5 SLOMW continues; Paul reportedly set to return for Season 6 |
| September 2026 | Failed drug tests reported; parenting time reduced to 8 hours weekly |
The Mikayla Matthews departure from SLOMW, announced just days before the drug test story broke, added further turbulence. Matthews wrote in a lengthy Instagram post that she would “not be continuing the show at this moment” after “hearing some news,” referencing “problematic” behavior without naming Paul directly.
Despite the legal and personal turmoil, Paul is reportedly set to return for Season 6 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Whether the drug test allegations affect that commitment remains unclear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Did Taylor Frankie Paul fail drug tests?
According to TMZ, sources familiar with the case say Paul allegedly failed multiple court-ordered drug tests within the last 60 days. The specific substances involved have not been publicly identified, though sources told TMZ at least one “is not commonly available as a prescription medication.”
How much parenting time does Taylor Frankie Paul have now?
The court reportedly reduced her parenting time to eight total hours per week: four hours with daughter Indy (9) and son Ocean (6), whom she shares with ex-husband Tate Paul, and four hours with son Ever (2), whom she shares with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
What was Taylor Frankie Paul’s parenting schedule before the drug tests?
Before the failed tests, a judge had expanded her parenting schedule to one weekday and alternating weekends, all unsupervised. Dakota Mortensen remained Ever’s primary custodial parent.
What happened in the 2023 domestic violence incident?
Security video showed Paul throwing metal barstools during an altercation with Dakota Mortensen. Police said one barstool struck her daughter Indy. Paul pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault (third-degree felony) and received three years of probation with mandatory drug testing. Four other charges were dropped.
What did DCFS do in Taylor Frankie Paul’s case?
In July 2026, Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services filed a petition asking a court to determine that all three of Paul’s children had been “abused, neglected or dependent.” The petition cited concerns about Paul’s fitness as a parent.
Is there a gag order in the case?
Yes. Sources close to Paul told TMZ that a strict gag order is in place and that her team views any information leaked to the media as “a continuation of the harassment and intimidation” she has experienced during the custody battle.
Is Taylor Frankie Paul still on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives?
Paul is reportedly set to return for Season 6 of the Hulu series. Season 5 has already been released. Co-star Mikayla Matthews recently announced her departure from the show.
What happened with Taylor Frankie Paul’s Bachelorette season?
Paul was selected for The Bachelorette on ABC, but her season was postponed indefinitely after a previously unseen video of the 2023 domestic violence incident was publicly released in early 2026.
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Last Updated on September 18, 2026 by 247 News Around The World
