Halle Berry’s daughter Nahla Aubrey defends mother amid custody dispute

The actress’s daughter says she never witnessed abuse, while Martinez seeks sole custody of their son.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 09 Oct 2026 03:02:40 GMT

Halle Berry’s 18‑year‑old daughter, Nahla Aubrey, submitted a declaration to Los Angeles Superior Court defending her mother as the Oscar‑winner confronts a temporary restraining order and a custody battle with ex‑husband Olivier Martinez.

What happened

Martinez filed a request for a restraining order last week, alleging Berry choked their son, Maceo, during an incident on Sept. 26. A court granted the temporary restraining order on Oct. 1, limiting Berry’s contact with Maceo and scheduling a hearing for Oct. 16. Martinez is seeking sole legal and physical custody.

What the reports add

The Los Angeles Times notes that Aubrey’s declaration, obtained by the paper, says the allegations left her “shocked, very sad, and very upset,” and that she has never witnessed Berry act violently toward anyone.
The Independent reports that Aubrey told People she has lived part‑time with her half‑brother Maceo and “never observed anything abusive about her parenting,” describing Maceo as 13, whereas the Times lists him as 12.
Both outlets quote Aubrey describing Berry as “loving and devoted,” with the Independent adding that Berry is “warm, supportive and deeply involved.”
The Independent adds that Aubrey observed Berry and Maceo “playfully wrestle, tickle each other, and roll around laughing,” and that she has never seen Maceo “hurt, upset, cry or do anything but laugh” after such play.
The Times includes Aubrey’s recollection of a 2012 driveway brawl in which Martinez beat up Gabriel Aubry, her father.
Berry’s fiancé, Van Hunt, and attorney Marina Z. Beck also filed declarations supporting Berry; Beck accused Martinez of refusing to provide information about their son’s education and of interfering with his therapy.

What was said

"The statements Olivier claims my mom made are wholly inconsistent with the values she has taught me my entire life," Aubrey said in her declaration, obtained by The Times.

"I have never witnessed her act violently toward anyone," Aubrey added.

"I never observed anything abusive about her parenting," Aubrey told People, as reported by the Independent.

"I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way," she wrote.

"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," the Independent records.

Berry herself has said, "I am not a perpetrator of violence. I would never hurt our child," as cited by the Independent.

How it came about

The restraining order follows Martinez’s earlier request for sole custody, which was filed after the Sept. 26 incident. Martinez also cited a 2023 episode in which Berry allegedly told Maceo, then 9, that his father was “a white b— trying to rob a Black woman” over child‑support issues, according to court documents referenced by the Times. Felo previously covered the restraining order itself in Halle Berry’s ex‑husband secures restraining order alleging child abuse, noting the court’s decision and the upcoming Oct. 16 hearing.

Key facts

Martinez was granted a temporary restraining order against Halle Berry on Oct. 1 (latimes.com)
Berry’s daughter Nahla Aubrey filed a declaration defending her mother (latimes.com)
Aubrey says she has never witnessed Berry physically abuse her son Maceo (independent.co.uk)