Halle Berry (60) and Olivier Martinez’s Text Messages Surface as Custody Fight Escalates over Child Abuse (12)

The custody battle between Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez has played out in court for years, and few celebrity co-parenting disputes have been watched as closely. Now Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez’s text messages have become part of the story, adding a more personal layer to an already tense situation. The allegations described below have not been proven, and both sides have given their accounts.

Berry filed for divorce in October 2015, and the former couple reached a split-custody agreement in August 2023. Under it, they share joint legal custody of their son, and Berry pays $8,000 a month in child support. Since then, Berry has sought sole legal custody, claiming Martinez refuses to co-parent in a child-centered way, while Martinez has accused her of taking advantage of him.

The latest chapter began when Martinez, 60, filed a petition for a temporary restraining order against Berry, also 60, according to documents obtained by People. He alleges that on Sept. 26, Berry jumped on their 12-year-old son, put her hands around his neck and choked him. He says the dispute began while the boy was playing a virtual reality game, and claims it was part of a broader pattern of conflict over the past few years.

Martinez is also asking for sole legal and physical custody of the boy. His filing includes a declaration describing what he says is a history of physical, verbal and emotional abuse. Berry’s side disputes that account.

Martinez included screenshots of text exchanges between him and Berry as exhibits. According to People, the messages date from the time of the alleged incident. In them, Berry appears to say she feels terrible about what happened the night before and believes her son feels the same way.

Halle Berry‘s text messages have been revealed! Apparently we are being let in on the drama! Abuse of a son perhaps? Strict mother? Crazy ex? pic.twitter.com/vGraK8kOo1

— opinionated russian🇷🇺☦️ (@Katsbigopinion2) October 2, 2026

Other messages paint a more complicated picture. Martinez reportedly replied that he was not aware of what was happening and alleged that Berry and their son frequently fight. In one text, Berry reportedly said she felt her son was disrespectful and that she was not comfortable with him staying with his father. On Sept. 27, she reportedly reached out to Martinez asking for help speaking with the boy.

Halle Berry’s alleged texts to ex-husband Olivier Martinez have surfaced amid their custody battle. 🚨

According to court documents, Berry allegedly messaged Martinez the day after the incident involving their 12-year-old son, writing that she felt “terrible about what happened… pic.twitter.com/18p0u3xcAv

— Radar Online (@radar_online) October 2, 2026

Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, has strongly denied the allegations. She said there is extensive evidence, including multiple judicial rulings, that Martinez violated court orders and interfered with therapeutic and educational interventions for their son. Berry’s counsel also maintains that the text messages show regret over a serious verbal disagreement rather than an admission of physical misconduct.

Martinez’s attorney, Patrick Baghdaserians, did not comment on Berry’s team’s statement. He said his client’s paramount concern is the health, welfare and safety of the child.

A Los Angeles County judge granted the temporary restraining order on Thursday, Oct. 1, and modified the custody arrangement. Berry must stay 100 yards from Martinez, and her contact with her son is temporarily limited to court-ordered visitation. The court denied a request to cut off contact between mother and son entirely, finding that continued visitation is in the child’s best interest for now.

The judge also declined a request to monitor Berry’s sobriety, citing insufficient information. The temporary order stays in effect until a hearing later this month, when the court will decide whether it should become permanent. Until then, the allegations remain just that, and the case is unlikely to be settled in the court of public opinion.

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