Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry is pushing back against serious allegations made by her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez, amid an escalating custody battle over their 12-year-old son, Maceo. A Los Angeles judge recently granted Martinez a temporary restraining order following claims that Berry physically abused the child during an altercation in late September.
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Verify & Continue ReadingAccording to court documents filed on October 1, Martinez alleged that a violent incident took place on September 26 at Berry’s home. The filing claims that Maceo contacted his father during the dispute, asking to be picked up. Martinez asserted that his son described an altercation in which Berry allegedly jumped on him, placed her hands around his neck, and choked him while shouting, “Who is dominant now?”
Martinez is seeking sole legal and physical custody of Maceo. The emergency petition also cited past incidents spanning the previous 18 months, including allegations that Berry wrestled their son to the ground and forced him to “tap out” during martial arts training.
Court Orders and Modified Visitation
Following the petition, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge granted a temporary protective order covering Martinez and Maceo, requiring Berry to stay 100 yards away from her ex-husband. However, the court declined to completely cut off contact between Berry and her son.
The judge modified the former couple’s previous 50-50 custody arrangement, limiting Berry’s visitation time to specified daytime visits on Mondays, Tuesdays, and designated weekend periods between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Additionally, the judge denied Martinez’s requests for mandatory sobriety monitoring during Berry’s visits, noting insufficient information to justify the measure at this stage.
Both parents have been ordered to participate in confidential mediation concerning custody matters ahead of a scheduled court hearing on October 16.
Legal Teams Trade Accusations
Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, forcefully denied the allegations in a public statement, calling the court filing “entirely meritless and deliberately misleading.”
“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,” Beck said. She further characterized the filing as expected behavior from an individual with a “well-documented history of erratic, possessive, and violent behavior.”
Meanwhile, Patrick Baghdaserians, an attorney representing Martinez, emphasized that his client’s primary focus remains the health, safety, and welfare of their child, ensuring that Maceo maintains an appropriate relationship with his mother under safe conditions.
A Lengthy Legal History
The latest legal confrontation marks a severe escalation in tensions between Berry and Martinez, whose high-profile relationship began after meeting on the set of the film Dark Tide in 2010. The pair married in July 2013 and welcomed Maceo that October before separating in 2015.
Although they were legally declared single in 2016, their divorce proceedings dragged on for nearly eight years, finally reaching a formal settlement in August 2023. That agreement established joint legal custody, required Berry to pay $8,000 per month in child support alongside a percentage of high-bracket income, and outlined shared decision-making regarding education and medical care.
Co-parenting tensions persisted into 2024, with both parties filing competing motions over legal authority and therapeutic interventions before the current restraining order proceedings began.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific allegations did Olivier Martinez make against Halle Berry?
Olivier Martinez alleged that Halle Berry physically abused their 12-year-old son, Maceo, during a September 26 incident, claiming she grabbed him by the neck and choked him. He also alleged previous unprovoked physical altercations.
What was the court’s decision regarding the temporary restraining order?
A Los Angeles judge granted a temporary restraining order protecting Martinez and Maceo, restricted Berry’s visitation to specific days and weekends, and ordered both parents to attend confidential mediation before an October 16 hearing.
How did Halle Berry respond to the allegations?
Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, released a statement strongly denying the claims as “entirely meritless and deliberately misleading,” while accusing Martinez of violating past court orders and exhibiting erratic behavior.
When did Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez get divorced?
Berry and Martinez separated in 2015 after two years of marriage. Their divorce was officially finalized in August 2023 following an eight-year legal process.
What is the current custody arrangement for Maceo?
While the parents previously shared a 50-50 joint custody arrangement, the temporary order limits Berry’s parenting time to specific days of the week and weekends while pending further review by the court.
