Court grants Olivier Martinez primary custody of Halle Berry's son amid abuse dispute

Key points

• Olivier Martinez was granted primary custody of Maceo, replacing the previous 50/50 arrangement.
• A temporary restraining order was issued on October 1, prohibiting Berry from coming within 100 yards of Martinez.
• Martinez alleged Berry choked Maceo on September 26 during an argument about virtual reality gaming.
• Berry's attorney, Marina Beck, called the allegations 'entirely meritless and deliberately misleading.'
• The next court hearing is scheduled for October 16.

Background

This development escalates a long-standing custody dispute between Berry and Martinez, who divorced in 2016 after a two-year marriage. Previous archive entries from early October 2026 confirmed the filing of the restraining order and the initial loss of primary custody, noting that the divorce took eight years to finalize. The current ruling formalizes the temporary custody shift and visitation restrictions.

How outlets are covering it

Page Six provided the most detailed account of the custody shift, confirming that Berry lost 50/50 custody in exchange for court-ordered visits two days a week and every other weekend. They also highlighted specific allegations from Martinez's filing, including claims that Berry made racially charged statements to Maceo regarding child support. Variety focused on the legal response, quoting Berry's attorney Marina Beck, who cited a history of Martinez violating court orders and interfering with therapeutic interventions. The Independent reported the core facts of the restraining order and the denial of allegations but offered less detail on the specific custody terms compared to Page Six. All three outlets agreed that Berry's representatives denied the abuse claims, but Page Six and Variety provided more extensive quotes from the legal filings and attorney statements.

Why it matters

The ruling significantly alters the living arrangements for a high-profile celebrity child and sets the stage for a contentious legal battle over custody and parental conduct. The involvement of a restraining order and the specific visitation limits indicate a high level of conflict between the parents, which may influence future family law precedents regarding celebrity custody disputes.

What to watch

The next court date is set for October 16, where the temporary restraining order and custody arrangements will likely be reviewed. Berry's legal team is expected to present evidence to counter the abuse allegations, while Martinez may seek to make the custody arrangement permanent.