Halle Berry's custody battle has reached new heights amid her ex-husband Olivier Martinez's allegations that she physically abused their 13-year-old son, Maceo.
Halle was accused of choking her son during an argument they had inside her home on September 26. Olivier also alleged that she had made racially charged remarks towards him in the past, all of which the actress has denied in court.
Halle speaks out
© Getty Images for The New York TiThe 60-year-old shared her objection to Maceo appearing in court to testify about the night in question in a filing obtained by People. She claimed that Olivier, whom she was married to from 2013 to 2015, was intentionally ignoring the statements from her partner, Van Hunt – who was present during the incident – and from her daughter, Nahla Aubrey.
Halle added that Maceo was a "coached and manipulated child" who should not be testifying in court. "Van Hunt was physically present during the incident and is the only adult third-party eyewitness to the events at issue," she shared.
© Instagram"Nahla Aubry has lived with Halle and Maceo for virtually Maceo's entire life and is uniquely situated to observe their relationship, family dynamics, and Halle's parenting over many years."
The declaration continued: "Rather than welcome testimony from these witnesses with direct personal knowledge, Olivier dismisses their observations while elevating the testimony of a neurodivergent 13-year-old child who has spent the last two weeks primarily in Olivier's care and with whom Olivier admittedly has been discussing the allegations, the litigation, and his anticipated testimony."
Olivier's response
The French actor's lawyer denied that Maceo was being manipulated by his father in a statement made to People.
"We vehemently deny such allegations. The child is the primary victim here. Victims of abuse should be able to testify regarding the abuse inflicted upon them."
© Getty"We are not surprised that the opposing party does not want the child Maceo to testify. The opposing party is seemingly scared of what the child will say," the lawyer added.
According to previous court documents, Olivier shared that Maceo "should have the opportunity to have his voice heard regarding what he experienced that night," and that if he was denied this opportunity, "he would be dissuaded from reporting problems or potential abuse in the future".
Nahla defends her mother
© InstagramNahla, Halle's 18-year-old daughter whom she shares with her ex-partner, Gabriel Aubrey, defended her mother in a declaration filed in court, explaining that she was a "loving and devoted parent".
"I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way," she stated. "I have never seen my mom place her hands around Maceo's neck, put him in a chokehold, restrict his breathing, or engage in any conduct remotely resembling the allegations that have been made against her."
Reigniting the custody battle
© WireImageOlivier filed for sole custody of Maceo following the allegations, reigniting the former couple's years-long custody battle that occurred after their separation in 2015. Previously, they reached a 50-50 custody agreement after their divorce was finalized in 2023.
Halle spoke out against Olivier's claims in a declaration to the court, stating: "I have never physically, emotionally, or otherwise abused Maceo. I am a victim of domestic violence, and I help victims of domestic violence...I am not a perpetrator of violence. I would never hurt our child."
