Halle Berry refutes ex-partner Olivier Martinez’s accusations of physical abuse towards their 13-year-old son, Maceo, as the former couple approaches a court hearing on Oct. 16 regarding custody and a restraining order.
Martinez is seeking sole legal and physical custody of Maceo along with a restraining order against Berry, alleging violent behavior towards their son on Sept. 26 and citing a history of abuse in court documents obtained by CBC News.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order on Oct. 1, limiting Berry’s parenting time and mandating a 100-yard distance from Martinez until the hearing. The judge rejected Martinez’s request for monitoring Berry’s sobriety due to insufficient evidence.
Berry denies the allegations, labeling them as “completely untrue” and asserting that she has never mistreated Maceo either physically or emotionally. She characterizes the Sept. 26 incident as playful roughhousing that escalated into a disagreement and is seeking a restoration of their 50-50 custody agreement.
Berry and Martinez tied the knot in 2013, welcomed Maceo that same year, and finalized their divorce in 2023 with a shared custody arrangement.
Martinez filed for a temporary restraining order on Oct. 1, alleging that Berry physically abused Maceo by jumping on him and choking him on Sept. 26. He also requested a modification of their custody arrangement and for Berry to undergo sobriety monitoring.
Nahla, Berry’s 18-year-old daughter with Gabriel Aubry, defended her mother in a declaration, refuting claims of physical abuse towards Maceo.
In response, Berry’s legal team countered Martinez’s claims with court documentation highlighting past violations of court orders and legal issues surrounding their son’s welfare. Berry’s team also mentioned video evidence contradicting Martinez’s version of events.
Berry filed a declaration on Oct. 5, directly refuting Martinez’s allegations and recounting the events of Sept. 26. She emphasized her stance against domestic violence and denied harming Maceo physically, emotionally, or in any other way.
Berry described the incident as playful roughhousing that took an unexpected turn when Maceo became upset, leading to a confrontation before her fiancé intervened. Berry stressed the importance of structure and ongoing contact with Maceo, refuting any notion of separation due to unfounded claims.
The court is set to review the case on Oct. 16 to determine the continuation or alteration of the temporary restrictions.