Halle Berry Accuses Ex Olivier Martinez of Obstructing Son's Therapy Amid Custody Battle
The actress claims Martinez's alleged interference has worsened their 13-year-old son Maceo's behavioral issues, seeking sole custody of educational and healthcare decisions.
Halle Berry has accused her ex-husband Olivier Martinez of actively hindering their 13-year-old son Maceo's therapeutic progress, alleging his interference has exacerbated the teen's behavioral problems. These claims are detailed in a new court filing as the former couple remains embroiled in a contentious custody dispute.
According to court documents reviewed by The Daily Mail, Berry stated that Martinez has repeatedly intervened in matters concerning Maceo's schooling and therapy, thereby obstructing necessary interventions. Berry is seeking sole legal custody over decisions related to Maceo's education, healthcare, and mental health treatment, requesting the court grant her tie-breaking authority indefinitely to prevent further delays, conflict, and harm to their son.
Berry's legal team asserted in the filing that the ongoing legal battle is characterized by Martinez's attempts to use manipulation and alienation to circumvent court orders and impede interventions for Maceo. They further noted that Martinez's alleged pattern of behavior is supported by numerous judicial findings and court orders.
Since Martinez obtained a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Berry earlier this month, following accusations that she physically abused Maceo, Berry claims the child's behavioral issues at school have significantly escalated. School administrators have reportedly indicated in court declarations that Maceo has become increasingly oppositional, defiant, and disrespectful towards peers and authority figures. He has also reportedly engaged in disruptive behavior, harassed a younger student, and faced disciplinary action, including a week of detention.
Berry further alleges that Maceo has been encouraged by Martinez to believe he has a significant say in decisions regarding his education, health, and general welfare. To address these concerns, Berry has requested the court authorize a year of individual and conjoint therapy sessions for Maceo with a therapist of her choosing.
In an effort to streamline communication, Berry also requested that both parties be ordered to communicate exclusively via the co-parenting app Our Family Wizard, limiting daily messages to one per parent unless it is an emergency. Urgent messages would require a response within five hours.
The filing reportedly includes declarations from Berry's fiancé, Van Hunt, her daughter Nahla, and administrators from Maceo's school.
Berry and Martinez were married from 2013 to 2015, with their divorce finalized in 2023. Martinez's lawyer has stated that the legal team is pleased with the court's decision to allow Maceo to testify in the ongoing custody proceedings, believing it to be necessary.