Halle Berry’s custody battle with her former husband, Olivier Martinez, has escalated significantly after her 18-year-old daughter, Nahla Aubry, submitted a formal court declaration defending the Oscar-winning actress against child abuse allegations. The legal filings, submitted to the Los Angeles Superior Court, address an alleged dispute involving Berry and her 13-year-old son, Maceo.
The controversy stems from an incident on September 26, after which Martinez sought sole legal and physical custody of Maceo alongside a domestic violence restraining order. Martinez alleged that Berry physically attacked and choked their son during a confrontation at home. A judge subsequently granted a temporary protective order on October 1, limiting Berry’s contact and parenting time until a scheduled court hearing on October 16.
Nahla Aubry Disputes Abuse Allegations in Court Declaration
In her sworn statement filed on October 3, Nahla Aubry-whom Berry shares with her former partner Gabriel Aubry-strongly disputed Martinez’s accusations and characterized her mother as a loving and supportive parent. Nahla stated that she had lived with Berry her entire life and had never witnessed any form of abusive behavior or violence.
"I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way," Nahla wrote in the court documents. She described physical interactions between Berry and Maceo as lighthearted and playful, noting that they frequently wrestled and laughed together without incident.
The college student expressed shock and sadness upon learning of the allegations during a phone call with her mother. She also voiced frustration regarding the public nature of the legal proceedings, stating that she felt like an afterthought in Martinez’s legal maneuvers and expressing concern over how the dispute might impact her younger brother.
Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez Offer Conflicting Accounts
Berry has firmly denied the child abuse allegations through her legal representatives, describing the claims as entirely meritless and misleading. In her own court declaration, Berry explained that the September 26 incident began as harmless roughhousing when she attempted to retrieve her phone during a playful interaction with Maceo, who is neurodivergent and enjoys active play.
According to Berry’s legal team, the ongoing litigation is not about domestic violence. Instead, it reflects a mother’s efforts to implement necessary interventions for her son’s well-being amidst constant obstruction. Berry is seeking to restore the joint 50-50 custody agreement that was finalized in 2023 following years of prior legal disputes.
The temporary restraining order issued by the court also prevented Berry from contacting Maceo on his 13th birthday. The legal teams for both parties are preparing for the upcoming court date on October 16, where a judge will evaluate further custody arrangements and the status of the protective order.
Background on the Custody and Legal History
The former couple married in 2013, separated in 2015, and officially finalized their divorce in August 2023 after a prolonged and complex legal process. Despite the finalized divorce, disputes over parenting time and child arrangements have continued to surface in family court.
In her declaration, Nahla also referenced past tensions, recalling an incident from her childhood involving Martinez and her father, Gabriel Aubry, to contrast with her peaceful upbringing under Berry’s care. Legal representatives for both Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez have declined to provide additional public comments outside of ongoing court filings as they await the mid-October hearing.
