Halle Berry calls abuse allegations ‘meritless’ as Olivier Martinez gains temporary custody

A judge limited Berry’s visitation with 12-year-old Maceo pending a court hearing later this month

Halle Berry is facing temporary restrictions on her custody of her 12-year-old son Maceo after her ex-husband Olivier Martinez accused her of physically abusing the child. A Los Angeles County judge granted Martinez a temporary restraining order on October 1, limiting Berry’s visitation while the allegations are considered in court.

According to court documents reported by PEOPLE, Martinez alleged that an incident occurred at Berry’s home on September 26. He claimed Berry physically attacked Maceo, put her hands around his neck and choked him. Martinez also alleged that similar physical incidents had occurred previously, claims that have not been established as facts by the court.

The temporary order applies to Martinez and Maceo and requires Berry to stay 100 yards away from Martinez. Her parenting time with Maceo has been restricted to specified daytime visits, including two weekdays and alternating weekends, until the next hearing. The judge also ordered the former couple to participate in confidential mediation over their custody dispute.

Berry has denied the allegations through her attorney, Marina Beck, who described Martinez’s filing as "entirely meritless and deliberately misleading". Beck said Berry is deeply saddened by the situation and remains focused on Maceo’s best interests.

Martinez had requested stronger restrictions, including changes to their existing custody arrangement and monitoring of Berry’s sobriety. However, the judge denied the request for sobriety monitoring, citing insufficient evidence.

Berry and Martinez married in 2013 and welcomed Maceo that same year. They separated in 2015, and their divorce was finalised in 2023 after years of legal disputes. Their previous custody arrangement provided for joint legal custody.

The latest temporary order is not a final determination of the allegations. A further court hearing is scheduled for October 16, when the custody and restraining order issues are expected to be considered again.