Halle Berry Denies Abuse Claims as Custody Dispute Returns to Court
Olivier Martinez filed for a domestic violence restraining order against Halle Berry on October 1, 2026, accusing her of abusing their son Maceo and seeking sole custody. A Los Angeles judge granted a temporary restraining order requiring Berry to stay 100 yards from Martinez, while allowing her contact with Maceo to continue. Berry's attorney called the filing meritless, and her daughter Nahla Aubry submitted a declaration saying she never saw her mother physically harm Maceo.
Court filings say Martinez filed on Oct. 1, 2026, alleging Berry choked Maceo on Sept. 26 and made remarks about race. He sought sole custody, accountability, and drug/alcohol testing, while saying he did not want permanent separation. A judge issued a temporary order keeping Berry 100 yards from Martinez, reduced visits, but allowed mother-son contact; alcohol/drug oversight was denied.
Berry's lawyer Marina Beck called the filing without merit and misleading, saying Martinez had violated court orders and faced sanctions. Nahla Aubry declared she never saw Berry physically harm Maceo. The exes married in 2013, separated in 2015, finalized divorce in 2023, with shared custody. Berry sought sole custody in 2024. A hearing is set for Oct. 16.
The case may shape public discussion about domestic violence claims in high-profile custody disputes, where allegations can influence reputations before evidence is tested. Fans and advocacy groups could read the filings through broader concerns about parental accountability and gender bias, while the child involved may face lasting scrutiny. Because the judge has only issued temporary orders, the October hearing could affect how similar celebrity cases are covered and how quickly audiences form judgments.