Halle Berry Refutes Olivier Martinez’s Abuse Allegations in Custody Response
Halle Berry filed a voluminous court response on Monday, October 5, 2026, forcefully denying allegations from her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez, that she physically abused their 12-year-old son, Maceo. In the filing, the Academy Award-winning actress describes herself as a lifelong advocate for domestic violence survivors who would never harm her child, characterizing the incident in question as a moment of “playful roughhousing” that has been misrepresented.
A Los Angeles judge granted a temporary restraining order on October 1, 2026, limiting Berry’s contact with her son.
The legal dispute stems from an encounter on September 26, 2026. According to Martinez’s petition for sole custody, Berry allegedly choked Maceo during a physical altercation. However, Berry’s legal team provides a different account of the afternoon. In her response, Berry states the interaction began while Maceo was playing a virtual reality game. She was reportedly filming him when the pre-teen grabbed her phone, leading to a physical scramble.
Defense Against Abuse Allegations
Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, argued in the filing that the claims of physical violence are “meritless.” The defense leverages Berry’s long-standing history as a domestic violence survivor to counter the narrative of her as an aggressor. Beck further challenged the credibility of the accusations by citing Martinez’s own “well-documented history” of erratic behavior, according to the court documents.
Next Steps in the Custody Battle
The court has already taken preliminary action in the matter. On October 1, 2026, a Los Angeles County judge granted a temporary restraining order that currently limits Berry’s contact with Maceo. While this order was granted, it did not immediately award Martinez the full sole custody he initially requested, pending a more thorough investigation.
A follow-up hearing is scheduled for October 16, 2026. During this session, the judge will determine the long-term status of the restraining order and evaluate the current custody arrangement. Maceo, who is set to turn 13 later this month, remains at the center of the dispute as both parents prepare to address the court regarding the September 26 incident.
