Halle Berry's daughter speaks out after child abuse claims against actress
Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence and abuse which some readers may find distressing.
Halle Berry's daughter has spoken out in defence of her mum after child abuse allegations were made against the actress.
Last week, her ex-husband Oliver Martinez accused the Oscar-winner of an instance of physical abuse against their shared 13-year-old son, Maceo.
A court granted a temporary restraining order against the actor. Berry had been married to Martinez between 2013 until 2016, but their divorce only finalised in 2023 following a battle.
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She has been accused over a September 26 incident in which Martinez claimed Berry put their son in a headlock and choked him after getting angry with him.
However Berry, 60, has since denied the allegations of abuse against her.
In a declaration filed October 5 and seen by PEOPLE, Berry wrote: “I have never physically, emotionally, or otherwise abused Maceo. I am a victim of domestic violence, and I help victims of domestic violence.
“I am not a perpetrator of violence. I would never hurt our child.”
The Catwoman star previously revealed she was the victim of domestic violence in her youth and also as an adult in a relationship, although the partner she accused wasn't identified.
According to reports, Berry also submitted to court evidence and messages that 'directly contradict' Martinez's account.
“My text messages to Olivier reflect my distress after Maceo became physically aggressive toward me, not any physical conduct by me toward Maceo,” she wrote, per PEOPLE.
In response, Berry has claimed that she went into Maceo’s room to ask him to stop playing the video game.
She was recording him, and he grabbed her phone. They began 'playfully roughhousing', she claimed, adding that she did not put her hands around his neck, choke or restrain him.
"I have never doubted her love"
Now, her daughter Nahla, 18, has denied any suggestion of Berry being violent in a Los Angeles Superior Court declaration also obtained by PEOPLE.
“I never observed anything abusive about her parenting,” Nahla wrote. She claimed she had never seen her mother physically abuse Maceo.
“I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way," she penned.
“I have never seen my mom place her hands around Maceo’s neck, put him in a chokehold, restrict his breathing, or engage in any conduct remotely resembling the allegations that have been made against her.”
Also acknowledging her mother’s public life, she said she 'always made time' for her children.
She added: “She attended his games, drove him to practices and tournaments, and advocated for his education and access to medical treatment and therapy.
"She celebrates our successes, supports us through challenges, and is always there when we need her.
“I never doubted my mom’s love for me. She consistently provided me with stability, support, guidance, and unconditional love.
Describing how she has 'never witnessed' Berry be violent, she added: “In all my years living with my mom, I have never witnessed her act violently toward anyone; however, I do remember Oliver beating up my father in our driveway when I was little,” she shared.
“I have also never seen my mom throw anything at anyone, not a knife, or plate, or any other object."
LADbible has contacted Halle Berry's reps for further comment.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.
Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity, US News
James Holt