Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) has filed a petition in juvenile court requesting that the three children of reality television star Taylor Frankie Paul be declared abused, neglected, or dependent.
The petition, filed by the Utah Attorney General’s Office the week of July 13, 2026, seeks court-ordered protective supervision and the appointment of a guardian ad litem to represent the children’s interests.
Paul, 32, known for her appearance on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is the mother of three children: 8-year-old Indy and 5-year-old Ocean, whom she shares with ex-husband Tate Paul, and 2-year-old Ever, whom she shares with Dakota Mortensen.
DCFS Allegations and Home Visit Observations
The legal filing details several incidents that prompted the agency to seek court intervention. According to DCFS documents, during a home visit in May 2026, Paul became upset after checking social media messages and “stormed out” of her residence, leaving caseworkers alone in the home. The agency noted that they were forced to lock the property after she departed.
During the same visit, DCFS reported that Paul expressed she felt she was being treated unfairly due to her “status.” When caseworkers confronted her regarding a lack of progress in her existing child and family plan—originally established in April 2026—the agency described Paul as becoming escalated and dysregulated.
For more on this story, see Taylor Frankie Paul Faces DCFS Investigation Over Parenting Concerns.
The petition also claims that Paul’s therapist has raised concerns regarding her lack of investment in treatment.
Caseworkers further alleged that Paul appeared to feel “forced” to attend therapy and, during a conversation, remarked that they should know who killed her if she ends up dead because she felt no one believes her,
though she specified she was not suicidal.
Response from Paul’s Legal Team
Following the reports of the petition, Paul’s legal team issued a statement characterizing the transition to juvenile court as a common step for families engaged in highly contentious, complex custody matters.
The statement emphasized that Paul is not deterred by this transition
and welcomes the added structure and oversight it provides.
Conversely, a source connected to Paul criticized the public disclosure of the court documents, stating that juvenile court matters are intended to be private to protect children. The source argued that the leaked information is “incomplete” and ignores documented concerns regarding the other parties involved in the ongoing custody disputes.
Concerns from Ex-Partners
The petition has drawn sharp criticism from Tate Paul and Dakota Mortensen. Through their attorney, Chad Shattuck, the exes expressed that they are deeply concerned
that Paul’s public statements have minimized the gravity of the DCFS action.
Shattuck stated that the filing is not a routine transition to juvenile court or an opportunity for personal growth,
noting that DCFS has requested an expedited hearing regarding the immediate protection of the children. According to the attorney, the exes are grateful that DCFS has taken these concerns seriously
and are focused on supporting accountability and the children’s healing.
This follows our earlier report, Taylor Frankie Paul Denies Dakota’s Claims Regarding Her Sister.
Background and Context
The current filing is part of a series of legal and personal challenges involving Paul. She previously entered a plea for aggravated assault in 2023 following a domestic violence incident involving Mortensen, which was captured on video and showed Paul throwing a metal chair.
DCFS records cited in the new petition allege that Paul’s children have been exposed to ongoing conflict between their parents. The filing further claims that Paul’s daughter, Indy, has been observed performing caretaking duties for her younger brother, Ever, such as changing diapers and preparing bottles, and that she has expressed sadness regarding the fighting between the adults.
As of mid-July 2026, Paul and Mortensen remain involved in a custody battle and have previously been granted permanent restraining orders against one another.