Halle Berry is facing a new legal challenge involving her 12-year-old son, Maceo, after her ex-husband Olivier Martinez accused her of physically abusing the boy during an alleged September 26 incident.
The actress denied the accusations through her attorney, who called Martinez’s filing “entirely meritless and deliberately misleading.”
The legal dispute has added another chapter to Halle Berry and her ex-husband’s long-running custody disagreements, with insiders sharing details about their bitter rift.
Halle Berry Is Reportedly Devastated Over Her Ex-Husband’s Claims Against Her
According to the Daily Mail, the legal dispute between Berry and her ex-husband, Martinez, in which he filed for a restraining order against the actress, has left her “saddened” due to the negative information now circulating about her alleged physical altercation with their son, Maceo.
“Halle is really saddened by the negative information that has gotten out about her; it is a real low blow,” a source close to the actress claimed.
They further claimed that Berry “has been a great parent who is always there for her kids and gives them a wonderful life.”
The allegations against Berry about her fighting and “choking” her son have only added to the long-running custody dispute between Martinez and the actress since their divorce in 2015, which was finalized in 2023.
Berry was ordered to pay her ex $8,000 a month in child support, along with covering their 12-year-old’s private school tuition, health insurance, and therapy. She must also pay Martinez 4.3% of any annual income she earns over $2 million for their son’s general upkeep.
The Actress Feels She Is Just An ‘ATM’ To Her Ex-Husband And Son As She Gets ‘Zero Respect’ From Them
In 2024, Berry filed for sole legal custody of Maceo, claiming Martinez was not fit to share custody with her due to their son allegedly struggling with his academics. She also accused him of using the child support she was paying for on himself.
Regarding the financial situation, a second source close to the former couple told the news outlet that Berry “feels she is an ATM when dealing with Maceo and Olivier,” noting that she “believes she gets zero respect and is just there to pay, pay, pay.”
However, the insider stressed that Martinez sees things differently from his ex-wife, and blames her for being the cause of their issues.
“It is just so sad for Halle, but Olivier believes it is by her own doing and that is why they are where they are at – just a complete dissolution,” the source stated. “The stress it is causing is overbearing.”
Olivier Martinez Accused Halle Berry Of Fighting And ‘Choking’ Their Son
According to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Martinez alleged that Berry physically confronted Maceo at her home while the boy was playing a virtual-reality game.
He claimed Berry entered the room, criticized Maceo, and began pushing him before the situation allegedly became physical.
Martinez alleged that Berry jumped on the child and began “choking” him, while shouting, “Who is dominant now?! Who is dominant?”
Berry’s fiancé, musician Van Hunt, was reportedly at the home at the time and is said to have treated the 12-year-old “fair” after coming into the room due to the boy’s “screaming.”
Hunt then helped Maceo as he packed his bag to leave the house, allegedly persuading Berry to allow the child to carry the clothes she had bought for him after she initially objected to it.
Halle Berry’s Ex-Husband Claimed Their Son Called Him ‘Frantic’ After The Alleged Physical Altercation
In the court documents, Martinez claimed Maceo called him “frantic” after the alleged altercation with Berry, asking to be picked up “right now.”
The French actor said he messaged Berry to inform her that Maceo had asked him to come and pick him up, and she allegedly objected, replying, “No, I’m not ok with it. He wants to fight his mother?? What kind of kid are we raising.”
Martinez also alleged that Berry told their son, “Good. Good. I don’t want to see you anymore,” after Maceo reportedly said he planned to “leave forever.”
He claimed that Maceo eventually left the home with Hunt, who was carrying his clothes. The following morning, Berry allegedly texted Martinez, saying, “I feel terrible about what happened last night as I know he does as well.”
Martinez has claimed that Maceo no longer wants to stay at Berry’s home and may have been affected by the alleged incident.
In his legal filing, Martinez also said that the September 26 incident was not an isolated confrontation, alleging in court documents that similar physical incidents had occurred repeatedly over the previous year and a half.
In one such case, Berry allegedly wrestled Maceo to the ground and made him “tap out.” According to Martinez, the actress viewed the behavior as playful, while Maceo did not enjoy the interactions.
Halle Berry’s Camp Claims Olivier Martinez Is Motivated By ‘Revenge‘
People close to the “Catwoman” star reportedly believe Martinez’s legal action is driven less by concern for their son and more by lingering resentment toward his ex-wife.
“Olivier has been looking for ways to hurt Halle, and I feel like he is using their son Maceo to do so,” a source told the Daily Mail, alleging that Martinez has struggled to move past the end of their marriage.
“He never got over that she left him, and it’s like he has been trying to make her look bad ever since,” the insider added.
Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, meanwhile, dismissed Martinez’s filing as “entirely meritless” and said the actress is “used to this kind of outrageous conduct” from her former husband.
With Martinez’s temporary restraining order now granted, the exes will head to an October 16 hearing. Both Berry and Martinez will present evidence as the court decides whether to make the order permanent.
Halle Berry And Olivier Martinez ‘Hate Each Other,’ Source Claims
The legal battle could become even more complicated next year, when their son, Maceo, turns 13. A source told the Daily Mail that under California law, the child will have a greater opportunity to express his preference about which parent he wants to live with.
“In a year Maceo can tell a judge which parent he wants to live with under California law, so he has rights, and if he wants to use them he should,” the source said.
Meanwhile, another insider claimed the former spouses remain deeply at odds, describing their relationship as extremely strained.
“Olivier and Halle hate each other,” the second source alleged. “If they were asked to say something nice about each other, you probably would not be able to force them into saying anything pleasant because they dislike each other so much.”
“It is beyond strained between them, and if it was not for Maceo, they would literally have nothing to talk about,” the source added. “They never have anything nice to say about each other, ever.”