Halle Berry Accused of Abuse by Ex Olivier Martinez; He is Granted Temporary Custody

Olivier Martinez has been granted temporary primary custody of his and Halle Berry's 12-year-old son, Maceo, after accusing the actress of physical abuse. Berry has vehemently denied these allegations, calling them "entirely meritless." Martinez was also granted a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Berry, which protects both him and their son and requires Berry to remain 100 yards away from Martinez.

This development comes after a protracted legal battle and previous attempts by the former couple to navigate co-parenting challenges. Reports indicate that Berry and Martinez previously attended six sessions of parenting therapy in an effort to resolve conflicts over raising Maceo.

The therapy arrangement included individual coaching sessions followed by joint sessions, with Berry's fiancé, Van Hunt, also participating in some. However, the therapy reportedly failed to yield long-term solutions. In August 2024, Berry claimed Martinez was attempting to withdraw from therapy and sought a court order for his continued participation.

A judge sided with Berry in October, noting that Martinez had already complied with the request after she took legal action. Sources previously told PEOPLE that the couple had "very different parenting styles" and that co-parenting had not been easy, though both shared a love for their son.

Berry and Martinez, who split in 2016, finalized their divorce in 2023 after a seven-year legal battle. At the time of the divorce settlement, Berry agreed to pay Martinez $8,000 per month, plus expenses for Maceo's health insurance, therapy, and school. She was also ordered to pay an additional 4.3% of income above $2 million and cover Maceo's private school tuition and other activities.

Despite hopes that the divorce settlement would conclude their disputes, Berry initiated legal proceedings in 2024 seeking sole custody. She claimed to have spent over $200,000 in legal fees, including $80,000 towards Martinez's legal expenses, and alleged that Martinez was using child support payments to support himself. Berry cited Maceo's struggles in school, including an ADHD diagnosis and being "grade levels behind," as reasons for seeking sole custody, suggesting Martinez was either unaware of or indifferent to his son's difficulties.

The current legal filings detail a series of alleged disputes between Berry, Martinez, and their son. Martinez alleges that Berry has engaged in physical altercations with Maceo, including wrestling him to the ground and forcing him to "tap out," as well as grabbing his neck from behind. He claims Berry insisted these actions were in jest, but that their son disliked them.

One incident, alleged to have occurred on September 26, 2026, is central to the restraining order. Martinez claims Berry became enraged after Maceo was playing a virtual reality game and told him he looked "so stupid." According to the filing, Berry entered Maceo's room, engaged in a physical fight with him, and grabbed his neck while shouting. Maceo reportedly told his father he had to fight back to escape her grip and began screaming, at which point Van Hunt entered the room.

Maceo reportedly told Martinez that Hunt treated him fairly and defended him when Berry attempted to prevent Maceo from taking his clothes. Martinez alleges he received a call from his son asking to be picked up and that Berry, in text messages, questioned why her son would "want to fight his mother." He also claims to have heard Berry yelling at Maceo to "leave forever."

Upon arrival, Martinez found Maceo with Hunt, who reportedly appeared shocked but did not detail the events. Maceo later recounted the alleged confrontation to his father. Berry's subsequent text message to Martinez acknowledged feeling "terrible about what happened last night."

Martinez claims Maceo no longer wishes to spend time at Berry's home, expressing concern that the child may be traumatized. He further alleges that Berry has a history of unprovoked physical attacks on Maceo, including using chokeholds learned in mixed martial arts, which she downplayed as play. Martinez also accused Berry of slapping Maceo twice approximately five years ago, a claim he believes Maceo would corroborate.

Martinez is seeking orders for Berry to remain 100 yards away, complete a 52-week batterer intervention program, and undergo regular sobriety testing while in Maceo's care. He has expressed significant concerns about Berry's mental health and alleged alcohol abuse, which he believes contribute to her conduct.

Berry's attorney, Marina Beck, stated that Martinez's filing is "entirely meritless" and that Berry is accustomed to "outrageous conduct" from Martinez. She added that Berry is "deeply saddened" but remains committed to fighting for Maceo's best interests.