Halle Berry's Daughter Defends Her Against Child Abuse Claims in Custody Battle

Halle Berry's 18-year-old daughter, Nahla Aubry, has entered her mother's custody battle with Olivier Martinez, filing a sworn declaration challenging allegations that the Oscar-winning actress physically abused her younger son and defending Berry's conduct as a parent.

In documents filed October 5, 2026, in Los Angeles Superior Court, Aubry said she had never witnessed her mother act violently and disputed Martinez's claims about Berry's treatment of their son, Maceo. Her statement follows a temporary restraining order granted to Martinez as he seeks sole legal and physical custody, while Berry fights to restore their previous shared parenting arrangement.

Martinez alleged in a court filing that Berry placed her hands around Maceo's neck and choked him during a September 26 incident. Berry has denied physically or emotionally abusing her son and is challenging the restrictions imposed on her contact with him. The temporary order remains subject to further judicial review, with a hearing scheduled for October 16.

Aubry, whom Berry shares with former partner Gabriel Aubry, said she was "shocked, very sad, and very upset" by the allegations. In her declaration, she described Martinez's account as inconsistent with the values her mother had instilled in her throughout her childhood.

The statements attributed to Berry were "wholly inconsistent with the values she has taught me my entire life," Aubry wrote, adding that she had "never witnessed her act violently toward anyone."

Drawing on her experience growing up between her parents' homes, Aubry described Berry as a supportive and involved mother who encouraged her to maintain a close relationship with her father despite their separation. She said Berry provided stability and guidance throughout her childhood and never spoke negatively about Gabriel Aubry or his family.

Aubry also disputed allegations that Berry had attempted to turn Maceo against Martinez. In his filing, Martinez claimed Berry told their son in 2023 that his father was trying to take money from her through child support proceedings. Aubry said she had lived with her younger brother for most of his life and had never heard their mother speak negatively about Martinez in his presence.

Her declaration also referenced a widely reported 2012 confrontation between Martinez and Gabriel Aubry. Nahla recalled witnessing Martinez physically attack her father in the family's driveway when she was a young child, contrasting that experience with her account of Berry's conduct.

Aubry said she last spoke with Maceo the day after the alleged September incident and did not observe anything that suggested he was distressed. She added that the temporary restraining order now prevents her from contacting her brother.

The declaration is among several statements submitted in support of Berry as she contests Martinez's allegations. Her fiancé, musician Van Hunt, and members of her legal team also filed declarations addressing the family's circumstances and the ongoing dispute.

Berry's attorney Marina Z. Beck accused Martinez of withholding information concerning Maceo's education and mental health treatment, interfering with his therapy, and disregarding recommendations from his therapist. The filings include text exchanges between the former spouses and correspondence from the child's school discussing behavioral concerns following the alleged incident.

The parties have also disputed their authority over decisions affecting Maceo's education and care. In an October 5 clarification, the court addressed Berry's continued role in those decisions despite the temporary restrictions on her contact with her son.

The competing declarations will form part of the evidence considered as the court reviews Martinez's request for continued protection. Nahla's statements concern her firsthand observations of Berry's parenting and family relationships, while the alleged September 26 incident remains disputed.

Berry and Martinez married in 2013 and separated in 2015, with their divorce finalized in August 2023. Their agreement established joint custody of Maceo and required Berry to pay Martinez $8,000 per month in child support.

In his latest filing, Martinez also requested restrictions on Berry's alcohol and substance use during visitation, including sobriety testing before, during and after visits. The judge declined to impose those additional requirements pending further proceedings.

The court is scheduled to revisit the temporary restraining order on October 16, when it will consider whether continued protective restrictions are warranted. Martinez's request for sole custody and Berry's effort to restore their previous arrangement remain unresolved.