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Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez They are again up against the custody of their 12-year-old son, Maceo. The former couple, who separated in 2015 and finalized their divorce in 2023, have continued to lead a complicated co-parenting relationship. Martinez recently raised new concerns in court about the actress’ treatment of their son, but Berry’s attorney disputes his account.
Olivier Martinez accuses Halle Berry of abusing their son
On October 1, Halle Berry’s ex-husband, French actor Olivier Martinez, filed a petition for a domestic violence restraining order against the actress and for sole legal and physical custody of their son.
In the documents, Martinez said the way Berry handled their son, 12-year-old Maceo, was the move. The actor accused his ex-wife of physically, verbally and emotionally abusing their son, and also raised concerns about the actress’ alleged substance abuse.
Berry’s lawyer, Marina Beck, responded to the allegations and released a statement on behalf of the actress.
“To say this filing is completely worthless and deliberately false would be an understatement,” Beck said in a statement to Every weekadding that there is ample evidence, including court decisions, showing Martinez is violating court orders.
The actress is ‘depressed’ about the situation
Beck said that while Berry is “deeply saddened” by the situation, the court filing was not entirely unexpected from the actor due to his “well-documented history of erratic, possessive and violent behavior.”
“Thankfully, Halle is used to this kind of horrible behavior from Mr. Martinez, and although she is very sad, she will not let it stop her from fighting for Maceo’s good and giving him the love and support he needs,” concluded Beck.
Berry and Martinez divorced in 2015 after two years of marriage. Their divorce dragged on for nearly eight years due to disagreements over child custody and support for their son, who has mild dyslexia and ADHD.
Olivier Martinez claims his son called for help
As noted in his filing, Martinez received a “panic” phone call from Maceo, prompting him to immediately pick up his son from Berry’s residence.
Maceo reportedly told his father that he had a fight with his mother on September 26 while playing a virtual reality game. Martinez said his ex-wife had called their son “stupid” and an “idiot” before “choking him and shouting, ‘Who’s stronger now?!’ as reported by Page Six.
Martinez said he received a text message from Berry, telling him how “terrified” she felt about what happened. He also said that this was not the first time that Berry had been abusive towards Maceo, saying that in one incident, she had “wrestled Maceo to the ground.
In addition to the restraining order, the actor asked the court to order a psychiatric evaluation and alcohol and drug tests for Berry.
The actor was granted a temporary restraining order against Halle Berry
According to reports, a Los Angeles County judge granted Martinez’s petition for a temporary restraining order against his ex-wife, which also extended to their son, ordering Berry to stay 100 yards away from the two.
The judge did not cut the actress’ time with Maceo completely, and instead changed a previous legal arrangement. Court-ordered visits have been limited to Mondays and Tuesdays, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Regarding the requested sobriety screenings and psyche evaluation, the judge denied the request, citing “insufficient information,” as reported by PEOPLE.
Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez’s relationship was reportedly rocky from the start
Berry and Martinez first met on the set of the movie “Dark Tide”. They announced their engagement in 2012 and married the following year. The actress Maceo was born in October 2013.
In 2015, they released a statement announcing that they were filing for divorce. “We move forward with love and respect for each other and with a shared focus on what is best for our son,” they said together at the time.
Although the former couple did not share the reason for their separation, sources say that the relationship had several problems from the beginning, including the actress’ “difficult relationship” with the father of her oldest child and problems with distance and space.
A hearing on the restraining order is scheduled for October 16.
