Nahla Aubry, 18, has filed a court declaration defending Halle Berry against abuse allegations brought by the actress’s ex-husband.
The eldest daughter of Berry, 60, submitted the sworn statement to Los Angeles Superior Court amid a heated custody battle over her 13-year-old half-brother, Maceo Martinez. Nahla, whose father is Berry’s former boyfriend Gabriel Aubry, described her mother as a “loving and devoted parent” who “can be strict when necessary” in the declaration.
Nahla stated she has lived with Maceo for most of his life, splitting time between Berry’s home and her father Aubry’s residence before recently relocating from California to Massachusetts for college. She wrote that she has never witnessed any physical abuse by Berry toward her younger brother.
“I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way,” Nahla declared in the filing.
She continued, “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.”
Nahla pushed back on additional claims made by Martinez, stating she had never heard her mother make “racially insensitive or racially charged comments.” She emphasized their family’s multiracial identity in her rebuttal.
“My mom is biracial, I am biracial and Maceo is biracial,” she wrote. “Throughout my life, my mom taught both of us to embrace who we are, appreciate our differences and respect people from all backgrounds.”
The 18-year-old also painted a picture of Berry as an actively involved mother who “always made time for me and prioritized what was important to me,” noting she observed the same dedication toward Maceo.
“She attended his games, drove him to practices and tournaments and advocated for his education,” Nahla stated. “She celebrates our successes, supports us through challenges and is always there when we need her.”
Nahla acknowledged Berry’s disciplinary approach while maintaining it never crossed into abuse.
“My mom is a loving and devoted parent. She can be strict when necessary and expects her children to follow rules and be respectful. At the same time, she is warm, supportive and deeply involved in our lives,” she wrote. “I never observed anything abusive about her parenting.”
The college student expressed emotional distress upon learning of Martinez’s allegations, saying she was “shocked, very sad and very upset.” She described Maceo as “funny, smart and full of personality” and said she was “heartbroken” for him.
Nahla last spoke with her brother on Sept. 29, when Berry was driving him to school. The siblings conversed on speakerphone about Nahla’s college experience, and she recalled that Maceo “sounded happy for me and didn’t seem upset about anything.”
She expressed a desire to reconnect with Maceo but noted uncertainty about what contact is permitted under Martinez’s court filings.
“I want very much to speak with my brother and check on him. I want him to know that I love him,” she stated.
The declaration follows Martinez’s Sept. 26 restraining order request, in which the 60-year-old actor accused Berry of grabbing Maceo by the neck and choking him during an argument that began while the teen was playing a virtual reality game. Martinez also alleged previous physical altercations and racially charged remarks by Berry toward their son.
Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, fired back at the allegations on Oct. 1.
“There is voluminous evidence, including numerous judicial rulings, that Olivier Martinez repeatedly violated court orders and interfered with necessary therapeutic and educational interventions to the detriment of his and Halle Berry’s minor son, Maceo — misconduct for which Mr. Martinez has already been legally sanctioned,” Beck said.
Berry has requested reinstatement of the former couple’s 50/50 custody arrangement. She claimed in her response that Martinez causes Maceo to be “angry and combative” at her due to his “continued attempts to align Maceo with him and against me in many areas of our child’s life and activities.”
A judge temporarily granted Martinez primary custody of Maceo following the restraining order filing, restricting Berry to court-ordered visitation of two days per week and every other weekend until their next hearing.
Berry and Martinez wed in 2013 and separated in 2016. The Oscar-winning actress was spotted with Maceo in Los Angeles in the days following her ex-husband’s court filing.
The former couple’s next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16.