Halle Berry Denies Abuse Allegations Amid Custody Battle with Ex Olivier Martinez

Halle Berry was seen in upbeat spirits at a Los Angeles courthouse on Tuesday as her custody dispute with ex-husband Olivier Martinez continues. The Oscar-winning actress has vehemently denied allegations made by Martinez that she physically abused their 13-year-old son, Maceo.

Merritt's fiancé, Van Hunt, testified in a court declaration obtained by the Daily Mail that Maceo allegedly shoved his mother during a heated argument in September. According to Hunt, the confrontation occurred when Berry tried to remove Maceo's virtual reality headset. Hunt stated that Maceo aggressively resisted, threw the headset, and pushed Berry. He intervened to separate them.

Maceo then reportedly threatened to call his father, and according to Hunt, both mother and son appeared to be on the verge of tears. Maceo began packing clothes and called Martinez, who then arrived and took their son away. The boy returned to Berry's home two days later, and their interactions were described as normal and loving.

Martinez has filed for sole custody, citing the alleged abuse. He was granted a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Berry, which also protects their son and requires Berry to stay 100 yards away from Martinez. As a result, Berry temporarily lost 50/50 custody and is limited to court-ordered visitation.

Maceo has been cleared by a judge to testify in the dispute later this month. Berry's attorney, Marina Beck, has called the filing "entirely meritless" and stated that Berry is "used to this kind of outrageous conduct" from Martinez.

Hunt's declaration also addressed the alleged incident, describing their interactions as generally loving and playful, including roughhousing. He stated he has never witnessed Berry act abusively towards Maceo. Hunt claimed that Martinez has "emboldened" Maceo by giving him excessive control, which has led to behavioral challenges and impulse control issues for the teenager. Hunt also alleged that he attempted to mediate between Berry and Martinez, but Martinez resisted suggestions for professional help for Maceo.

Berry and Martinez finalized their divorce in 2023 after an eight-year legal battle. Berry was ordered to pay Martinez $8,000 per month in child support and a percentage of any income exceeding $2 million. Berry's daughter from a previous relationship, Nahla Ariela, has also submitted a declaration stating she has never witnessed her mother act violently toward Maceo.