On April 7, 2026, Third District Court Commissioner Russell Minas ordered Utah influencer Taylor Frankie Paul to just 8 hours per week of supervised visitation with her 2-year-old son Ever. One week later, on April 14, 2026, the Salt Lake County District Attorney declined to file domestic violence charges against Paul, according to Deseret News. A full evidentiary custody hearing is set for April 30, 2026 — and the ruling preserves her 2023 aggravated assault parole status.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| What happened | Temporary order limiting Taylor Frankie Paul to 8 hours/week supervised visitation with son Ever (age 2) |
| When | Order issued April 7, 2026; DA declined charges April 14, 2026; evidentiary hearing April 30, 2026 |
| Where | Third District Court, Salt Lake County, Utah — Commissioner Russell Minas presiding |
| Who's affected | Taylor Frankie Paul (MomTok/Mormon Wives), ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, their son Ever |
| Key statute | Utah Code § 30-3-10 (best-interests factors); Utah Code § 78B-7-108 (supervised parent-time) |
| Impact | Temporary supervised-only contact; parole status preserved; DA declination does not bind family court |
Why this matters legally
A criminal declination does not equal a family-court exoneration. The Salt Lake County DA's April 14, 2026 decision not to file domestic violence charges applies only to the criminal burden of proof — beyond a reasonable doubt. Utah family courts apply a far lower standard — preponderance of the evidence — when determining temporary custody and parent-time under Utah Code § 30-3-10. That's why Commissioner Minas could impose supervised-only contact on April 7 even before the DA made its charging decision. The two systems run on parallel tracks with different rules, different burdens, and different timelines.
This temporary order also illustrates how Utah commissioners use narrowly tailored restrictions while an evidentiary record is built. Eight hours per week of supervised visitation is a middle path: it preserves the parent-child relationship required under Utah's public policy favoring frequent contact, but it subordinates that policy to child safety during the investigative window. The April 30 evidentiary hearing will determine whether the 8-hour cap expands, contracts, or converts to unsupervised contact.
How Utah law handles this
Utah's custody framework rests on three interlocking statutes. Utah Code § 30-3-10 lists the best-interests factors courts must weigh — including past conduct, moral standards, and any evidence of domestic violence. Under Utah Code § 30-3-10.2, joint legal or physical custody must not be ordered if the court finds domestic violence occurred, absent specific safeguards. And Utah Code § 78B-7-108 authorizes supervised parent-time when credible evidence suggests a child could be endangered during unsupervised contact.
Importantly, a criminal non-filing does not prevent a family court from finding domestic violence occurred. Utah case law has consistently held that civil findings operate independently of criminal outcomes. Courts routinely find abuse by preponderance even when criminal charges are declined, dismissed, or result in acquittal. In Paul's case, Commissioner Minas had jurisdiction to order supervised visitation based on the record before him — including the 2023 aggravated assault conviction that put Paul on parole — regardless of the DA's April 14 charging decision.
Utah's default parent-time schedule under Utah Code § 30-3-35 provides roughly 80 overnights per year for the non-custodial parent of a child over age 5. For children under 5, Utah Code § 30-3-35.5 governs — and those schedules can be significantly reduced when safety concerns exist. Eight hours weekly, supervised, falls well below either default, signaling the commissioner viewed the allegations as substantive even with the criminal declination pending.
Practical takeaways for Utah parents
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Do not assume a criminal declination protects your custody position. Utah family courts apply the preponderance standard under Utah Code § 30-3-10, and commissioners can restrict parent-time even when prosecutors pass on charges.
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If you face allegations, request an evidentiary hearing quickly. Temporary orders issued at commissioner level can be reviewed by a district court judge under Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 108. The April 30 evidentiary hearing in Paul's case is the typical next step.
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Document everything. Utah's best-interests analysis relies heavily on specific, dated evidence: text messages, witness statements, medical records, and police reports. Courts routinely discount unsupported allegations from either side.
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If you are on parole or probation, a new family-court order can affect your criminal status. Paul's 2023 aggravated assault parole was preserved by the April 7 ruling — but a different outcome at the April 30 hearing could trigger a parole review.
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Supervised visitation is usually temporary. Most Utah supervised parent-time orders are revisited within 60 to 180 days once therapeutic recommendations, safety plans, or evaluations are complete under Utah Code § 78B-7-108.
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Public figures face the same statutes as private parents. Commissioner Minas applied standard Utah custody law — the MomTok platform did not change the analysis. Social media presence can, however, become evidence of parental fitness in either direction.
FAQs
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A final note
If you are navigating a Utah custody dispute involving allegations of abuse, a criminal investigation, or parole-status concerns, the procedural stakes are high and the timelines are short. The difference between a temporary and permanent order often turns on what happens in the first 30 to 60 days. A Utah family law attorney can review your case and help you prepare for the evidentiary hearing that will set the long-term terms.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.