Halle Berry is denying child abuse claims by her ex-husband. Here's what we know

Halle Berry is denying allegations by her ex-husband Olivier Martinez that she physically abused their 13-year-old son, Maceo, as the former couple heads toward an Oct. 16 court hearing over custody and a restraining order.

Martinez has asked for sole legal and physical custody of Maceo and a restraining order against Berry, alleging she was violent toward their son during a Sept. 26 incident and claiming a history of abuse, according to court documents obtained by CBC News.

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge granted a temporary restraining order on Oct. 1, restricting Berry's parenting time and ordering her to stay 100 yards from Martinez until the hearing. The judge denied Martinez's request that Berry's sobriety be monitored, citing insufficient information.

Berry has denied the allegations, calling them "absolutely false" and stating that she has "never physically, emotionally or otherwise abused Maceo." She described the Sept. 26 incident as playful roughhousing that escalated into an argument and is asking the court to restore their 50-50 custody arrangement.

Berry and Martinez married in 2013, welcomed Maceo later that year and finalized their divorce in 2023 with a joint custody arrangement.

Martinez files a request for a temporary restraining order covering both himself and Maceo, writing that he needed protection because Berry "physically abused our son by jumping on him and choking him" on Sept. 26.

He also asked the court to modify their 50-50 custody arrangement and require Berry to undergo sobriety monitoring.

In his declaration, viewed by CBC News, Martinez says he received a frantic call from Maceo asking to be picked up and could hear Berry yelling in the background.

He alleges the confrontation began while Maceo was playing a game in his bedroom and that Berry pushed him before grabbing him around the neck and choking him. Martinez also alleges "there have been other instances of abuse over the course of the last few years."

His filing references text messages between him and Berry, including one in which she says: "I feel terrible about what happened last night as I know he does as well."

Nahla, Berry's 18-year-old daughter with ex-partner Gabriel Aubry, filed a declaration defending her mother.

"I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way," Nahla wrote in a declaration.

Berry's lawyer submitted court documents disputing Martinez's allegations and pointing to what Berry described as previous violations of court orders and legal sanctions involving their son's needs.

Berry's legal team also says video evidence contradicts Martinez's account.