Halle Berry Faces Child Abuse Allegations in Custody Dispute

A judge has granted Olivier Martinez a temporary restraining order against his ex-wife, Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry, following allegations of physical abuse involving their 12-year-old son. The legal filing marks a sharp escalation in the long-running custody dispute between the former couple, who finalized their divorce in 2023 after nearly a decade of litigation.

Martinez, 60, alleged in court documents that the actress attacked their son, Maceo, during a recent incident at her home. According to the filing, Berry became aggressive while the preteen was playing a virtual reality game, reportedly placing her hands around the boy’s neck and choking him. The French actor claimed that Berry’s boyfriend, musician Van Hunt, was present during the altercation. The documents further allege a pattern of physical intimidation, with Martinez claiming that Berry, who trained extensively in mixed martial arts for her directorial debut Bruised, has used professional fighting techniques on their son.

He claimed she has forced the child to “tap out” during wrestling matches and that the 12-year-old lives in a state of constant anxiety while in her care, fearing he could be placed in a chokehold at any moment. Berry has vehemently denied the accusations through her legal team. Her attorney, Marina Beck, told reporters that the filing is “entirely meritless and deliberately misleading.” Beck stated there is substantial evidence that Martinez has historically interfered with court-ordered therapy and educational interventions for the child, noting that the actor has faced legal sanctions for such behavior in the past.

The filing also details alleged verbal disputes involving racial themes. Martinez claimed that Berry questioned how Maceo would protect her from his father, referring to Martinez with a racial slur and threatening to have him deported to France. He also alleged that Berry’s behavior has been exacerbated by alcohol consumption, a claim the actress has dismissed as a fabrication.

While the court granted the temporary restraining order, Berry has not been stripped of all contact. The judge ordered that she continue to have visitation rights with Maceo, though both parents are now required to participate in court-mandated mediation to address the escalating conflict. Representatives for Berry maintained that the actress remains focused on the well-being of her son and characterized Martinez’s recent legal maneuvers as an attempt to manipulate the custody process. The court is expected to review the temporary order and the request for sole custody in a hearing scheduled for later this month.