Halle Berry's Daughter Publicly Defends Mother in Custody Battle Over Son
The 18-year-old daughter of US actress Halle Berry has told a court in a written statement that her mother is not violent toward 13-year-old Maseo. Berry is in a custody dispute with her ex-husband, French actor Olivier Martinez.
Nahla Aubry, the 18-year-old daughter of Hollywood actress and Oscar winner Halle Berry, has publicly sided with her mother in a custody case over Berry's 13-year-old son, Maseo. The actress faces an allegation of violence against the boy, which she denies. The contents of the court documents were reported by the outlet Page Six.
The daughter's statement
Nahla, whose father is the model Gabriel Aubry, acknowledged in a written statement that her mother "can be strict when necessary", but said she has never been abusive. She stressed that she has never seen Berry hit, slap, choke or grab Maseo, or treat him violently in any other physical way.
Nahla explained that she and her half-brother have lived together for most of their lives, and that she has always felt her mother puts her children's needs first. According to her, Berry takes pleasure in their successes, supports them through hard times and is always there when they need her.
The teenager also rejected claims by French actor Olivier Martinez that Berry made racially offensive or race-related hostile comments.
Court ruling and next steps
Maseo's father is Martinez, Berry's former husband. He has accused his former partner of physically influencing their son. The court has temporarily named Martinez the boy's primary caregiver, while Berry may see her son only under a court-set arrangement. These restrictions will remain in force at least until the next hearing, scheduled for 16 October.
Berry categorically denies all the accusations. She is seeking to restore the earlier custody arrangement, under which both parents shared the care of their son equally. The actress also accuses her ex-husband of "constant efforts to turn Maseo against me and to take his side".
