'I Would Never Hurt Our Child': Halle Berry Says She Has Video To Refute Ex's Claims She Choked Their Son

Halle Berry has denied allegations that she choked her 13-year-old son, Maceo, during a confrontation with her ex-husband Olivier Martinez, 60, saying she has video footage that supports her account.

Berry, 60, made the claims in a court response after Martinez accused her of physically attacking their son, and a judge granted a temporary restraining order that was later modified. The actress said she would never hurt Maceo and disputed his version of the events.

The alleged confrontation took place on 26 September, when Maceo was 12. He turned 13 on 5 October. Neither side's allegations have been established as fact.

Halle Berry Denies Choking Her Son

According to TMZ, Berry said she never put her hands around Maceo's neck, choked him, or restricted his breathing. She also disputed other details in Martinez's account.

Berry said she had been recording Maceo on her phone while he played a virtual-reality game at her home. She said he noticed the recording and took her phone, after which they began 'playfully roughhousing'. The actress said the interaction escalated when Maceo pushed her. She claimed she tried to remove his VR headset before her fiancé, Van Hunt, intervened.

Berry said Maceo later threatened to leave and return to Martinez's home, and maintained that he had no marks on his body or neck when he left. Berry said the footage she recorded forms part of her account of the confrontation, although the available reporting does not establish that it captures the entire incident. Describing herself as a domestic violence victim and advocate, she said: 'I would never hurt our child.'

What Olivier Martinez Alleged

Martinez has alleged that Berry physically attacked Maceo during the September confrontation, including grabbing him around the neck and choking him. He also claimed the incident was not isolated and cited messages that he said showed Maceo asking him to come and collect him.

Martinez further alleged that Berry had previously subjected their son to physical, verbal and emotional abuse. He cited a 2023 dispute over child support in which he claimed Berry referred to him using a racial slur and asked Maceo how he felt about the dispute 'as a black man'.

Martinez sought sole custody following the allegations, and a judge subsequently granted a temporary restraining order.

Berry's attorney, Marina Beck, previously described his filing as 'entirely meritless and deliberately misleading' and accused Martinez of violating court orders and interfering with their son's therapeutic and educational needs.

The allegations have not been established as fact. The temporary restraining order also does not amount to a final finding that Martinez's claims are true.

Custody Battle Continues

A judge granted Martinez a temporary restraining order that gave him primary custody while limiting Berry to court-ordered visitation, although the order was later modified to preserve Berry's final decision-making authority over Maceo's mental health and education.

Berry was also ordered to stay 100 yards away from Martinez, and the former couple was directed to enter confidential mediation.

Berry has asked the court to restore their previous 50-50 custody arrangement and has accused Martinez of attempting to undermine her relationship with Maceo. Martinez has disputed her allegations.

A further hearing is scheduled for 16 October.

Halle Berry Seen With Maceo

Despite the ongoing custody dispute, Berry was spotted with Maceo and Hunt in Los Angeles on 4 October. The outing took place within Berry's court-ordered parenting time.

The latest court filings leave Berry and Martinez presenting conflicting accounts of the September confrontation as their wider custody battle continues.