The ongoing custody battle between Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry and her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez, has reached a critical juncture as the French actor claims their 13-year-old son, Maceo, wants to testify against his mother.
According to court documents filed by Martinez, the teenager is seeking to address a judge directly regarding an alleged physical confrontation that took place on September 26. Martinez asserts that Maceo wants the court to hear his account of the incident and consider his preferences regarding which parent he should live with.
The legal filings detail a troubling series of allegations, including Martinez’s claim that Maceo photographed Berry following the purported altercation. The boy reportedly told his father he took the photo because he feared no one would believe his version of events. Martinez stated that his son had previously complained about his mother’s behavior but felt those concerns had been ignored by authorities.
Berry has vehemently denied all allegations of abuse. Legal representatives for the actress described the encounter in question as “roughhousing” and characterized Martinez’s recent court filings as a tactical move in their long-standing dispute. The couple, who divorced in 2016, has been embroiled in litigation over Maceo’s care and schooling for several years. Beyond the allegations of physical conflict, Martinez is also accusing Berry of providing a “false narrative” to the court regarding their son’s medical needs. He alleges that Berry misrepresented his level of cooperation concerning Maceo’s psychiatric care.
According to Martinez, the boy’s pediatrician and psychiatrist reached a consensus on September 21 that Maceo should not be placed on medication at this time. Martinez claims Berry was aware of this professional opinion and acknowledged it in writing, yet she later filed an emergency request painting him as an obstructionist father interfering with necessary treatment.
The dispute follows a temporary restraining order recently filed against Berry, which has further complicated the joint custody arrangement. The legal team for Martinez argues that Maceo is of a sufficient age and maturity for the court to weigh his testimony before making final determinations on his living situation.
The former couple is scheduled to appear in a Los Angeles courtroom on October 16. A judge will then decide whether the 13-year-old will be permitted to testify and what impact these latest allegations will have on the existing custody order.
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