Halle Berry's ex beau files for joint custody of daughter

Berry, 44, has a 2-year-old daughter, Nahla Ariela (born March 2008), with the 35-year-old French-Canadian model Gabriel Aubrey. The duo called it quits last year after five years of dating but reportedly continued to maintain a close relationship for raising their child.

Now it seems that Aubrey wants to protect his legal rights.

Aubrey filed a paternity petition
After splitting from the Oscar-winning actress, Aubrey has now filed for joint physical and legal custody of their daughter along with support, according to multiple online published reports.

Sources told the celebrity gossip website that although the former couple had split amicably, the Canadian model is afraid that things could get rugged in determining who gets to spend time with the child, so he wanted to protect his legal rights.

In papers filed Dec. 30 in Los Angeles Superior Court, the model has asked a judge to officially declare him the daddy of the couple’s toddler daughter, Nahla, reports TMZ.com.

Sources told the celebrity gossip website that although the former couple had split amicably, the Canadian model is afraid that things could get rugged in determining who gets to spend time with the child, so he wanted to protect his legal rights.

Gabriel felt it wasn’t working anymore
According to PopEater.com, when Berry and Aubrey separated last spring, a friend of the model told RadarOnline.com: “Gabriel just felt it wasn’t working anymore…when they were first together, the 9-year age difference between them didn’t phase him. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever dated and he was totally in love.

“But as time went on he started feeling it more and more. Also, Gabriel started noticing other women and being attracted to others, and he felt it just wasn’t right to stay with Halle in those circumstances.”

Berry’s past life
‘Catwoman’ Halle Berry and Aubrey started dating after their first meeting at a Versace store opening in Manhattan in February 2006. Two years later, they welcomed their daughter into the world.

Berry was married twice previously. She was first married to former Atlanta Braves baseball star David Justice from 1992 to 1996, and then to R&B musician Eric Benét from 2001 to 2005. She adopted the daughter of her second husband, Benét.