Halle Berry Denies Child Harm Claims, Citing Personal History as Domestic Violence Survivor

Hollywood star Halle Berry has vehemently denied allegations that she physically assaulted her 13-year-old son, Maceo. This denial comes as a court recently modified a temporary restraining order, affirming Berry's ultimate authority concerning her son's mental health and educational decisions, according to a report by TMZ.

The acclaimed actress filed her response to a request from her former husband, Olivier Martinez, who sought to replace their existing joint legal and physical custody arrangement. Martinez had asked for temporary sole custody for himself, with visitation rights for Berry.

Martinez's claims against Berry included an incident where he alleged she placed Maceo in a headlock and choked him during a virtual reality gaming session. However, Berry has categorically refuted these accusations, stating she never choked her son, put her hands around his neck, or restricted his breathing.

According to Berry's version of events, she had instructed Maceo to cease playing the game and later began recording him on her phone. She stated that Maceo then approached her and grabbed the device, leading to what she described as "playfully roughhousing." Berry acknowledged that the interaction escalated, alleging that Maceo pushed her initially and then again when she attempted to remove his headset. Her partner, musician Van Hunt, reportedly intervened in the situation. Berry also denied uttering the phrase, "Who is dominant now?" and asserted that timestamped video evidence would corroborate her account.

Berry's legal filing further noted that Maceo returned to Martinez's residence without any visible marks on his body or neck. "I would never hurt our child," Berry declared, identifying herself as a survivor of domestic violence and an active advocate against abuse.

The court filings also revealed differing perspectives on Maceo's care. Berry contended that Martinez had resisted professional assistance for their son's behavioural and neurodivergent needs, referencing previous legal disputes regarding "critical interventions for Maceo." Martinez, in his separate filing, rejected these allegations, accusing Berry of "deliberately" misrepresenting his conduct concerning Maceo's mental health treatment.

Berry argued that granting Martinez primary custody would be detrimental to their son, claiming Martinez lacked "child-centered guidance" and had permitted Maceo to make his own medical decisions.

Furthermore, Martinez alleged that Berry had made racially charged comments, specifically accusing her of calling him "a white bitch who takes money from a black woman." In response, Berry's daughter, Nahla Aubry, submitted a declaration affirming she had never heard her mother make such remarks, describing the allegations as "completely inconsistent with the mom I know."

On Monday, the judge amended the temporary restraining order that Martinez had secured the previous week. This amendment clarified that Berry retains final decision-making authority over Maceo's mental health and education. This provision aligns with an agreement reached by the former couple in 2024 and will remain in effect until a scheduled hearing on October 16, as reported by TMZ.