A Public Outing in Utah
Dakota Mortensen, known for his appearance on the reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has been seen in public with Shinia Powell, sparking renewed speculation about their relationship status. The 33-year-old reality star was photographed on Thursday, July 23, while attending a baseball game at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan, Utah.
Photographic evidence captures the pair watching the game from the lawn area. In one instance, Mortensen was seen with his arm around Powell, and in another, the two were relaxing together on a blanket. Both were dressed casually, sporting matching cream-colored baseball caps during the outing.
Background of the Relationship
This recent appearance follows reports from various sources suggesting that the pair have begun dating again. According to reports, what was previously described as a close friendship has evolved into a romantic connection while Mortensen navigates a complex custody battle with his ex-partner, Taylor Frankie Paul. The two share a son, Ever, born in March 2024.
This dynamic has garnered significant attention, particularly because Mortensen previously faced backlash for his involvement with Powell during the fourth season of their reality show. Reflecting on those events in a past episode, Mortensen expressed regret over the situation:
«I do just want to say sorry for everything that I did. I know that caused a lot of problems. I’m sorry for hooking up with Shinia. Was it dumb of me? Yes. Could I have picked someone else? Yes. I picked somebody that was obviously going to come with problems, and that was very s*y of me to do»
Legal Challenges and Custody Disputes
The gossip regarding their romantic life is occurring alongside intense legal proceedings involving Mortensen and Paul. Earlier this year, both parties secured restraining orders against one another following allegations of domestic conflict. While Mortensen was initially granted temporary custody of their son, the situation has remained fluid, with Paul eventually gaining increased visitation time.
The situation escalated recently when the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) petitioned the juvenile court regarding the welfare of Paul’s three children. In a statement, Paul noted that the move to juvenile court is a standard procedure for families involved in difficult custody disagreements, adding that she welcomes the oversight. Conversely, Mortensen and Paul’s former partner, Tate Paul, released a joint statement expressing significant concern regarding the severity of the DCFS intervention and the necessity for better coordination between child-welfare agencies and the legal system to ensure the safety of the children involved.