Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey has been granted temporary physical and legal custody of her 17-month-old son, Halo Saint, following explosive abuse claims against her ex-boyfriend, YouTuber-turned-rapper DDG, whose real name is Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.
Court documents obtained and quoted by People Magazine chronicle a chilling history of what Bailey, 25, describes as an escalating cycle of physical, verbal, emotional, and monetary abuse. Her court document has now yielded a temporary restraining order and a general custody decree.
A MOTHER’S CRY FOR PROTECTION
Bailey rolled out the red carpet for Halo in December 2023 with Granberry. They had been dating since 2022 and announced their break-up last year in 2024. But behind the gram-perfect pictures and celebrity gossip, Bailey claims that there was a history of behavior that scared her senseless and caused her concern regarding her son’s welfare.
“I am aware that there is no appeasing Darryl. I cannot keep letting this abuse continue. I cannot keep living this way,” Bailey said in her court affidavit, according to People. “I never know when he is going to need our son to be in his mother’s care and whether I am going to have to endure his threats and abuse.”
The actress, who has been praised for her dignified public demeanor, also disclosed that she had attempted everything in her power to steer clear of going to court but eventually could no longer turn a blind eye to the supposed trauma she and her son were experiencing.
THE COURT’S DECISION: A PROTECTIVE WALL
The judge sided with Bailey’s petition, granting her sole legal and physical custody of Halo until further notice and a temporary restraining order against Granberry. The rapper is now required to keep at least 100 yards away from Bailey and their son. That order shall continue in effect until a hearing on June 4, 2025.
Among the restrictions in the court injunction:
- DDG will not have unsupervised visitation with Halo.
- Bailey has proposed that he be given one weekly six-hour supervised visit, but only through a professional visitation center and only if Halo is in Los Angeles.
- Granberry will not take Halo out of Los Angeles County, an action that comes concurrently with Bailey’s petition for a child abduction prevention order.
- Bailey’s lawyers also ask for strict limits on any travel, including Halo. The Color Purple singer has asked that Granberry not be allowed to seek or hold on to any travel documents for their son without her prior written approval. Even if she provides that, she asks him to provide full travel itineraries, copies of round-trip travel, and an “open airline ticket” for her in case Halo is not returned.
ALARMING ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE
There are several alarming allegations in Bailey’s petition. In January, she claims DDG verbally abused her while she was trying to buckle their son into a car seat, reportedly calling her repeatedly “b*tch” in front of the child.
In another incident, Bailey alleges Granberry entered her home without her consent in March when she was not there, sent her a photograph of her bed, and sent her a threatening text implying she was sleeping with other guys. The actress alleges these steps are part of an obvious and nefarious trend of harassment and intimidation.
She also blames DDG for attempting to hide their son away from her and not being receptive to basic co-parenting arrangements. Bailey claims that such behavior placed both her and the child’s physical and mental health in immediate danger.
A HIGH-PROFILE CASE IN A DIGITAL AGE
The incident has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and social media, where Bailey has long been a beacon of strength and poise. Meanwhile, DDG, whose career exploded through YouTube and hip-hop music, has remained silent publicly about the matter.
The pair managed to keep Halo Saint’s birth confidential until February 2024, when Bailey broke the news months after his delivery. The low-key aspect of their parenthood starkly contrasted with the legal storm now brewing.
While June 4, 2025, is the next scheduled hearing date, the judge’s decision in favor of sole custody and restraining orders for Bailey has shone a harsh light on celebrity responsibility, parental rights, and domestic abuse issues in the public eye.
Neither Granberry nor Bailey has publicly commented on the court’s decision at publication time.
Domestic abuse can be prevented. If you are being abused or know someone who is, help is available.
Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org for confidential assistance.
