Halle Berry’s daughter Nahla Aubry has submitted a court declaration defending her mother against allegations that she physically abused Nahla’s younger half-brother, Maceo.
In an Oct. 3 Los Angeles Superior Court declaration obtained by PEOPLE, Nahla, 18, wrote, “I have never witnessed her act violently toward anyone.” Her account describes years of observing Berry as a parent.
Maceo’s father, Olivier Martinez, alleges that Berry put her hands around their son’s neck and choked him during a Sept. 26 encounter. He is seeking sole legal and physical custody of Maceo, who is now 13.
Berry denies physically or emotionally abusing their son. In her own court response, obtained by Entertainment Weekly, she asked to restore the equal parenting time she previously shared with Martinez.
Nahla Describes a Strict and Involved Parent
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Nahla said Berry expects her children to follow rules and treat others respectfully. She described a mother who attends games, drives Maceo to practices and tournaments, and advocates for his education and medical care while maintaining her own public career.
She also recalled seeing Berry and Maceo tickle each other and wrestle playfully, saying those interactions ended in laughter. She did not say she witnessed the Sept. 26 incident.
Nahla also addressed Martinez’s allegations about racially offensive remarks. According to Page Six, she said Berry taught both children to embrace their biracial identities and treat people of all backgrounds with respect.
Berry Arranged for the Siblings to Spend Time Together
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Nahla, Berry’s daughter with Gabriel Aubry, divided her childhood between her parents’ homes. She said she lived with Maceo for much of his life and that, after Berry and Martinez separated, her mother coordinated the children’s schedules so they could spend substantial time together.
She described Berry as a steady source of support and said she never doubted her mother’s love. Nahla also said Berry encouraged both children to maintain loving relationships with their fathers.
Nahla Recalled a Sept. 29 Phone Call With Maceo
Nahla recently moved from California to Massachusetts for college, Page Six reported. She said she spoke with Berry and Maceo on speakerphone on Sept. 29 while her mother was driving him to school.
The conversation centered on her college experience. Nahla recalled that her brother sounded pleased for her and did not seem upset during the call.
In the declaration, Nahla said she had not spoken with Maceo since the court filings because she was unsure what contact was permitted. She wrote that she wanted to check on him and let him know she loved him.
Learning about Martinez’s allegations left her “shocked, very sad, and very upset,” she wrote. She expressed concern about the effect the proceedings could have on her brother and his relationship with their mother.
The Court Has Limited Visits While the Parents Dispute Custody
A judge granted Martinez a temporary restraining order on Oct. 1 covering him and Maceo, with specified daytime visits for Berry. The court also declined his request for sobriety testing, according to the Los Angeles Times. An Oct. 5 amendment preserved Berry’s final authority over Maceo’s education and mental-health care, TMZ reported.
The former couple’s 2023 divorce settlement provided joint custody. They subsequently agreed to work with a parenting coach in 2024, but disputes over the arrangement continued.
Berry has also sought renewed counseling and accused Martinez of interfering with educational and therapeutic decisions. Martinez asked the court to dismiss her concerns, EW reported. He also said his son’s health, welfare and safety remained his priority and that his actions were intended to protect him.
Berry Completed a Parenting Orientation Before the Next Hearing
TMZ reported that Berry signed an Oct. 6 certificate confirming completion of the court’s Our Children First program. The Los Angeles Superior Court describes the approximately one-hour online course as mediation orientation and parent education for people preparing for custody or visitation proceedings.
A hearing on Martinez’s restraining-order request is scheduled for Oct. 16.