Halle Berry Accused of Abuse; Ex Granted Custody, Restraining Order

Halle Berry's ex-husband, Olivier Martinez, has been granted temporary primary custody of their 12-year-old son, Maceo, and a domestic violence restraining order against the actress. The filings allege Berry physically abused Maceo, including an incident where she allegedly choked him.

In court documents filed in Los Angeles and obtained by the Daily Mail, Martinez claims that on September 26, 2026, Berry "physically abused our son by jumping on him and choking him." The restraining order requires Berry to stay 100 yards away from Martinez and their son. Berry has also lost 50/50 custody and is currently permitted to see Maceo only during court-ordered visitation two days a week and every other weekend, pending a hearing scheduled for October 16.

Merritt Beck, an attorney for Berry, stated that the filing is "entirely meritless and deliberately misleading." She added, "There is voluminous evidence, including numerous judicial rulings, that Olivier Martinez repeatedly violated court orders and interfered with necessary therapeutic and educational interventions to the detriment of his and Halle Berry's minor son Maceo - misconduct for which Mr. Martinez has already been legally sanctioned." Beck also noted that the filing was "not entirely unexpected from an individual with a well-documented history of erratic, possessive and violent behavior."

Martinez's filing details a series of alleged disputes, including claims that Berry has "wrestled Maceo to the ground and forced him to 'tap out'" over the past year and a half. He alleges that Berry has "grabbed our son's neck from the back when he is not looking and forced him to tap out" multiple times, which she allegedly claimed were done in jest, but that Maceo disliked.

According to Martinez, the incident that prompted the restraining order began when Berry told Maceo he looked "so stupid" and was "such an idiot" while playing a virtual reality game. Martinez alleges that Berry then entered Maceo's room and began pushing him, initially in a joking manner. When Maceo asked her to stop, Martinez claims Berry "went into a rage," jumped on Maceo, and began choking him while shouting, "Who is dominant now?!"

Maceo reportedly told Martinez he had to fight back to escape Berry's grip and began screaming. The documents state that Berry's current partner, Van Hunt, entered the room and reportedly "defended Maceo" as he was packing his belongings to leave.

Martinez claims he received a "frantic call" from Maceo asking to be picked up immediately. Text messages included in the filing show an exchange between Martinez and Berry, in which she allegedly responded to his request by saying, "No I'm not ok with it. He wants to fight his mother?? What kind of kid are we raising."

Martinez further alleges he heard Berry yelling at Maceo during another call with his son, telling him, "Good. Good. I don't want to see anymore," after Maceo said he was going to "leave forever."

When Martinez arrived, Hunt was seen carrying Maceo's clothing and appeared shocked when asked about the incident.

The following morning, Martinez alleges he received a text message from Berry stating, "Oliver, I've reached out to Maceo and asked to speak with him. I know you very much think he makes his own decisions but I would really appreciate it if you would encourage him to speak with me today. I feel terrible about what happened last night as I know he does as well."

Martinez asserts that Maceo no longer wishes to spend time at Berry's home and believes he may be traumatized. He stated, "My peace was disturbed by the fact that Petitioner physically abused our son."

Martinez also claims that Berry has unprovokedly attacked their son in the past, using choke holds learned in mixed martial arts training, which Maceo has repeatedly stated he hates. He further alleges that Berry has engaged in verbal and emotional abuse towards him and that she has concerns about Berry's mental health and alcohol abuse, which he believes contribute to her conduct.

Martinez also accused Berry of slapping Maceo in the face twice approximately five years ago.

In August 2024, a judge denied Berry's request to have Martinez participate in co-parenting therapy. That same year, she sought sole custody of Maceo, which was not granted.

Martinez also claims Berry made racially charged statements to Maceo, including calling him "a white b**ch trying to rob a black woman" in reference to child support issues. He further alleged Berry threatened to have him deported to France, causing Maceo "great emotional and mental distress."

In his filing, Martinez requested that Berry remain 100 yards away, attend a 52-week batterer intervention program, and remain sober while caring for Maceo, including undergoing Sober Link testing.

Berry and Martinez were married from 2013 until their split in 2016. Their divorce was finalized in 2023, resulting in joint custody and child support payments from Berry. The couple met on the set of "Dark Tide" in 2010 and welcomed Maceo in 2013.

In 2024, Berry initiated legal action against Martinez, alleging he was attempting to avoid co-parenting therapy. She claimed to have spent over $200,000 in legal fees, including $80,000 towards Martinez's expenses, and asserted that he was using her child support payments for his own financial support.

Berry had previously sought sole custody of Maceo, citing his struggles in school, a diagnosis of ADHD, and mild dyslexia, and claiming Martinez was either oblivious to or disregarded these difficulties.

Martinez was also involved in a physical altercation with Gabriel Aubry, Berry's ex-partner and father of her daughter Nahla, in 2012. The incident led to Aubry's arrest and a restraining order.

Berry became engaged to singer Van Hunt earlier this year.