Key Highlights:
- Olivier Martinez claims his 13-year-old son, Maceo, wants to testify directly before a judge regarding an alleged abuse incident involving Halle Berry.
- Berry has forcefully denied the physical abuse accusations, stating that the interaction was playful roughhousing and that she would never harm her child.
- Martinez is seeking sole legal and physical custody, while Berry’s legal team has dismissed the allegations as entirely meritless and misleading.
Olivier Martinez Pushes for Son Maceo to Testify in Custody Battle
The contentious legal dispute between Halle Berry and her ex-husband Olivier Martinez has escalated following new filings in the Los Angeles County Court. Martinez has formally requested that the former couple’s 13-year-old son, Maceo, be allowed to give testimony at an upcoming emergency custody hearing, asserting that the teenager wants to share his perspective directly with the court.
According to court records obtained by PEOPLE, the emergency proceedings stem from an alleged child abuse incident reported to have occurred on September 26 at Berry’s residence. Martinez has accused Berry of placing Maceo in a headlock and choking him during an altercation. Martinez is currently petitioning the court for sole custody of their son based on these allegations, submitting photographic evidence that he claims was documented on the evening in question.
In the legal documentation, Martinez maintained that his son’s direct participation is vital. He should have the opportunity to have his voice heard regarding what he experienced that night,
he wrote. If he is prevented from addressing the Court regarding these allegations, I fear that he would be dissuaded from reporting problems or potential abuse in the future.
Martinez continued to advocate for the teen’s involvement in court: I am the parent who wants the truth to come out. I am the parent who does not want to suppress Maceo’s voice,
adding, To the extent that Petitioner attempts to prevent our son from speaking with a Judge regarding what happened, I fear this is an attempt to escape culpability for what occurred.
Furthermore, Martinez stated that Maceo worries his claims will not be credited, writing that previous therapists had downplay[ed] or dismiss[ed]
his complaints and that He already feels that people are prone to take dismiss any concerns he has about Petitioner,
Halle Berry and Family Deny Allegations of Physical Abuse
Berry has strongly rejected the accusations brought forth by Martinez, stating that the pair were simply playfully roughhousing
. In response to the claims, Berry stated, I am not a perpetrator of violence. I would never hurt our child,
clarifying that she did not put her hands around Maceo’s neck, restrain him, or choke him after asking him to step away from playing a game.
Berry’s legal counsel has also rejected the narrative presented by Martinez. In a statement issued to PEOPLE, attorney Marina Beck called the action unfounded, saying: To say this filing is entirely meritless and deliberately misleading would be an understatement,
adding, Fortunately, Halle is used to this kind of outrageous conduct from Mr. Martinez and, while she is deeply saddened, she will not allow it to deter her from fighting for Maceo’s best interests and providing him with the love and support he needs.
Berry’s daughter, Nahla, has also submitted a declaration in Los Angeles Superior Court defending her mother’s parenting, stating that she has never witnessed Berry slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way
. Nahla wrote: I never observed anything abusive about her parenting,
Why This Matters
Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez met in 2010 and married in 2013 before separating in 2015. While their divorce was finalized after years of ongoing negotiations, parental disputes regarding custody, decision-making, and care routines for Maceo have persisted in court. This latest filing introduces a critical legal juncture: whether family court judges will permit minor children of high-profile parents to testify directly during emergency hearings, or rely on independent minor’s counsel and child custody evaluations to evaluate abuse claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sparked the latest emergency custody filing between Olivier Martinez and Halle Berry?
The emergency hearing follows an alleged domestic incident on September 26 at Halle Berry’s home, where Olivier Martinez claims Berry put their 13-year-old son, Maceo, in a headlock and choked him. Berry denies the accusation, asserting that they were only playfully roughhousing.
What outcome is Olivier Martinez seeking from the Los Angeles court?
Martinez is seeking sole custody of Maceo and is requesting that the judge allow the 13-year-old to testify directly during the custody hearing so that his account of the September 26 event is formally heard.
How has Halle Berry’s family responded to the abuse claims?
In addition to Berry denying all accusations of abuse, her legal counsel called the filing meritless and misleading. Berry’s daughter, Nahla, also filed a court declaration affirming that she has never observed any abusive behavior from Berry toward Maceo.
