Halle Berry's 18-year-old daughter is defending her mom amid abuse allegations.
Nahla Aubry submitted a written declaration to a Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Oct. 3 in support of the actress, 60, two days after her ex-husband Olivier Martinez filed for sole custody of their son Maceo, 13, and a domestic violence restraining order, alleging Berry "physically abused" the boy "by jumping on him, putting her hands around his neck, and choking him" on Sept. 26.
"I was shocked, very sad, and very upset when I learned about Olivier's allegations against my mom," wrote Aubry, whom Berry welcomed in 2008 with then-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry. "Having lived with my mom my entire life and having personally observed her relationship with Maceo for years,
the allegations are completely inconsistent with the mom I know."
Aubry called Berry, who denies the allegations, "a loving and devoted parent" who has "has always encouraged" both her and her brother "to maintain loving relationships with our fathers." Aubry further accused Martinez of being on a "quest to destroy my mom," noting that she is "heartbroken" to see Maceo "become the subject of a public dispute that he may not fully understand."
"Based on my observations throughout Maceo's life, I believe he loves our mom very much and shares a close bond with her. I have seen him hug her, kiss her, tell her he loves her, seek her comfort, and enjoy spending time with her," Aubry's declaration read. "At the same time, I have also witnessed occasions when Maceo has been disrespectful, at times aggressive, and unwilling to follow rules at home."
She noted, "When that occurred, my mom responded the same way she did with me when I was growing up: by enforcing appropriate boundaries and consequences, such as limiting screen time, imposing time-outs, or restricting access to electronics and play dates. I never observed anything abusive about her parenting."
Olivier Martinez accused Halle Berry of repeated abuse
In Martinez's Oct. 1 filing, he said Berry abused Maceo multiple times over the years, including on Sept. 26 when she allegedly entered the child's room while he was playing a VR game and "began pushing" him. When he told her to stop, Martinez alleged the "Catwoman" star went "into a rage," calling him "stupid" and "an idiot."
"The situation escalated from there," Martinez said, alleging Berry "jumped on Maceo and started physically fighting with him. She grabbed Maceo by the neck and started choking him while shouting. 'Who is dominant now?! Who is dominant?'"
The next day, Berry allegedly texted Martinez, "I feel terrible about what happened last night as I know he does as well." Martinez said he has "significant concerns" about Berry's mental health and "alcohol abuse," which he believes "have contributed to her abusive conduct."
Among the other instances of alleged abuse detailed in the filing included one five years ago when Berry allegedly "struck Maceo in the face" and another 10 years ago when she allegedly "threw a plate, along with the knife and fork" where her son was sitting.
Martinez also accused Berry of making "racially charged statements" by telling Maceo his dad is a "a white bitch trying to rob a Black woman" in reference to "child support issues" in 2023.
Berry's attorney, Marina Beck, previously denied Martinez's allegations in a statement to USA TODAY, calling his filing "entirely meritless and deliberately misleading."
"In a way, today’s filing is not entirely unexpected from an individual with a well-documented history of erratic, possessive and violent behavior," Beck said. "Fortunately, Halle is used to this kind of outrageous conduct from Mr. Martinez and, while she is deeply saddened, she will not allow it to deter her from fighting for Maceo's best interests and providing him with the love and support he needs."
Nahla Aubry stands by Halle Berry, reflects on 'loving' relationship
In her declaration Aubry said, "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 then went on to address – and deny – each of Martinez's allegations.
"I have also never seen my mom throw anything at anyone, not a knife, or plate, or any other object. I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way. I have seen my mom and Maceo playfully wrestle, tickle each other, and roll around laughing on the floor or on a bed many times," Aubry 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.
"I have never seen Maceo hurt, upset, cry or do anything but laugh after his and my mom’s playful wrestling," she continued. "I have also never heard my mom make racially insensitive or racially charged comments. My mom is biracial, I am biracial, and Maceo is biracial. Throughout my life, my mom taught both of us to embrace who we are, appreciate our differences, and respect people from all backgrounds. The statements Olivier claims my mom made are wholly inconsistent with the values she has taught me my entire life."
While Aubry said Berry "can be strict when necessary and expects her children to follow rules and be respectful," she described her mom as "warm, supportive, and deeply involved in our lives." Aubry concluded by expressing her love and concern for Maceo and the impact the legal battle will have on him.
Martinez was ultimately granted a temporary restraining order against Berry on Oct. 1, restricting her parenting time to daytime visits on Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays until their upcoming Oct. 16 hearing.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Halle Berry's daughter, 18, speaks out to defend mom amid abuse allegations
