Halle Berry has temporarily lost shared custody of her 12-year-old son, Maceo, following severe child abuse allegations filed by her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez. The actor alleges Berry grabbed the boy by the neck during a dispute over a virtual reality game, prompting a temporary custody restriction through October 16.
Martinez Files Allegations After Dispute
The custody battle between Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez escalated following an incident on Saturday, September 26. According to court filings submitted by Martinez, the confrontation began over a virtual reality headset that their 12-year-old son, Maceo, was wearing.
Martinez claims that Berry physically assaulted the boy after shouting that he looked so dom with his VR gear on and calling him zo’n idioot
for playing the game. The legal documents state that the situation turned physical when she jumped on the child, placed her hands around his neck, and choked him while demanding to know who was dominant in the household.
Berry’s legal representation immediately pushed back against the claims. Marina Beck, attorney for the Academy Award-winning actress, dismissed the allegations as completely unfounded and intentionally misleading.
Earlier Occurrences Cited in Filings
In his petition for full physical custody, Martinez asserts that the September confrontation was not an isolated event. The French actor told the court that he believes there have been other instances of physical abuse against their son in recent years.
Court papers reviewed by American media outline two earlier alleged occurrences. Five years ago, Berry allegedly struck Maceo in the face. A decade ago, during Thanksgiving dinner, she reportedly threw a plate containing a knife and fork in the direction where the boy was sitting.
Martinez also raised concerns regarding Berry's alcohol consumption and mental state, claiming she caused the child severe emotional distress by repeatedly threatening to have Martinez deported back to France.
Messages Exchanged After The Incident
The legal filing also brought numerous text message exchanges between Berry and Martinez into public view. In the aftermath of the alleged choking incident, Maceo reportedly texted his father begging to be picked up immediately.
When Martinez questioned the situation, Berry allegedly responded defensively via text message, questioning what kind of child they were raising if he wanted to fight with his mother. In another message sent the following day, Berry expressed remorse over the previous night’s events and asked Martinez to encourage Maceo to speak with her.
Olivier, I have contacted Maceo and asked if I can speak with him. I know you are convinced that he makes his own decisions, but I would greatly appreciate it if you would encourage him to talk to me today. I feel terrible about what happened last night, and I know he does too. Halle
Mediation Scheduled Following Ruling
Following the emergency filing, a judge partially granted Martinez’s request by stripping Berry of shared custody on a temporary basis. Until October 16, the actress is permitted only limited visits with Maceo.
Both parents are now scheduled to participate in court-ordered mediation to address the custody arrangement. The current legal battle follows a long history of litigation between the two actors, who met on the set of the film Dark Tide in 2010, married in 2013, filed for divorce two years later, and finally finalized their separation in 2023.