Halle Berry's Daughter Nahla, 18, Defends Mum as Olivier Martinez's Abuse Claims Rock Custody Battle

Halle Berry's daughter Nahla Aubry, 18, has defended her mother against child abuse allegations made by her ex-husband Olivier Martinez. Nahla submitted a court declaration that challenges claims at the centre of the former couple's custody battle.

In her declaration, Nahla said she had never witnessed Berry physically abuse her 13-year-old half-brother, Maceo, and described the actress as a loving and involved parent. Her account comes as Berry denies Martinez's allegations and disputes the restrictions imposed on her contact with their son.

Nahla Aubry Defends Her Mum

'I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way,' Nahla wrote in a declaration filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on 3 October, according to People.

She described Berry as a devoted parent who was warm, supportive and deeply involved in her children's lives. Although she acknowledged that her mother could be strict when necessary, Nahla rejected claims that Berry had been physically violent towards Maceo.

Nahla said she had lived with Maceo for most of his life and recalled seeing the siblings playfully wrestle, tickle each other and roll around laughing. She said she had never seen her brother appear hurt or distressed after those interactions. She also described Berry's involvement in Maceo's life, including attending his games, taking him to practices and tournaments, and supporting his education and medical care.

Nahla Says Allegations Have Upset Her

Nahla said she was deeply upset when she learned of Martinez's allegations. She also expressed concern about the impact of the proceedings on Maceo and his relationship with their mother. In her declaration, Nahla said Berry had encouraged her children to maintain loving relationships with their fathers and had not spoken negatively about either man to them.

Nahla also alleged that she remembered Martinez beating her father, Canadian model Gabriel Aubry, in their driveway when she was young. The account is an allegation in her declaration and has not been independently established by the reporting.

Berry shares Nahla with Gabriel Aubry, while Maceo is her son with Martinez. Berry and Martinez married in 2013, filed for divorce in 2015, and finalised their divorce in 2023.

Olivier Martinez's Abuse Allegations

Martinez accused Berry of physically attacking Maceo during an alleged confrontation on 26 September. As previously reported, he claimed Berry put her hands around their son's neck and choked him, adding that the alleged incident was not isolated. He sought a temporary restraining order and sole legal and physical custody of Maceo.

Berry has denied choking Maceo, restricting his breathing or putting her hands around his neck. Her attorney, Marina Beck, called Martinez's filing 'entirely meritless and deliberately misleading', accusing him of violating court orders and interfering with their son's therapeutic and educational needs.

Berry gave a different account of the encounter, saying she was recording Maceo playing a virtual-reality game when he noticed and took her phone. She said they began 'playfully roughhousing', but the situation escalated after Maceo pushed her and she tried to remove his VR headset.

Berry also said she would 'never hurt' her son. The competing accounts remain disputed, and Nahla's declaration provides her perspective on Berry's parenting rather than independently establishing what happened during the alleged September incident.

Temporary Restraining Order Limits Berry's Contact

A judge granted Martinez a temporary restraining order on 1 October, restricting Berry's parenting time while the dispute proceeds. According to People, Berry is restricted to daytime visits on Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10am to 8pm.

A further hearing is scheduled for 16 October. The temporary order does not amount to a final finding that Martinez's allegations are true, and the custody arrangements remain subject to further court proceedings.