Halle Berry refutes claims made by her former spouse Olivier Martinez regarding the alleged physical abuse of their 13-year-old son, Maceo, as they approach a court hearing on Oct. 16 concerning custody and a restraining order.
Martinez is seeking sole legal and physical custody of Maceo and a restraining order against Berry, asserting that she exhibited violence towards their son during an incident on Sept. 26 and citing a history of abuse, as per court documents obtained by CBC News.
A temporary restraining order was granted by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Oct. 1, limiting Berry’s parenting time and mandating that she stay 100 yards away from Martinez until the hearing. The judge dismissed Martinez’s request for monitoring Berry’s sobriety due to insufficient evidence.
Berry has refuted the accusations, labeling them as “completely untrue” and affirming that she has never mistreated Maceo in any way. She characterized the Sept. 26 event as playful roughhousing that led to an argument and is petitioning the court to reinstate their previous 50-50 custody agreement.
The couple, who tied the knot in 2013 and welcomed Maceo later that year, finalized their divorce in 2023 with a shared custody arrangement.
In a legal update, Martinez filed for a temporary restraining order on Oct. 1, claiming that Berry physically assaulted Maceo on Sept. 26, prompting him to seek protection for both himself and their son. He requested a modification of their custody agreement and demanded that Berry undergo sobriety monitoring.
Martinez recounted receiving a distressed call from Maceo asking to be picked up while hearing Berry yelling in the background. He alleged that the altercation began while Maceo was playing, with Berry allegedly pushing and choking him. Martinez cited past instances of abuse and referenced text messages, including one where Berry expressed regret over the incident.
In a supportive gesture, Nahla, Berry’s 18-year-old daughter with Gabriel Aubry, defended her mother in a declaration, denying witnessing any physical abuse towards Maceo.
Berry’s legal team responded on Oct. 4, disputing Martinez’s claims and highlighting alleged breaches of court orders and legal sanctions related to their son’s welfare. They asserted that video evidence contradicted Martinez’s narrative.
Berry personally addressed the allegations on Oct. 5, denying any form of abuse towards Maceo. She described the Sept. 26 incident, emphasizing that it involved playful roughhousing and denied choking or restricting Maceo’s breathing.
Berry clarified that the situation escalated when Maceo became upset and pushed her, leading to her fiancé intervening before Maceo expressed a desire to contact his father. She stressed the importance of structure and continuous maternal contact for Maceo, advocating for the reinstatement of their previous custody arrangement.
The upcoming hearing on Oct. 16 will determine the continuance or modification of the temporary restrictions, as the court deliberates on the ongoing custody dispute.