Halle Berry's ex-boyfriend has fired back at reports that he pushed his daughter's nanny while she was holding the toddler.

Halle and Gabriel Aubry were in a Los Angeles courtroom yesterday because the actress wants the Canadian model to be stripped of joint custody of their three-year-old child Nahla.

Gabriel has apparently acknowledged that he did get into a verbal altercation with the nanny but claims that she fell while holding Nahla rather than him pushing her as has been reported.

A source close to the situation told RadarOnline that Gabriel is upset the matter has escalated as much as it has.

"Why in the world would Gabriel push the nanny causing her to fall while she was holding his daughter?" the insider questioned.

"Gabriel is fiercely protective of Nahla. The nanny tripped, and she fell while holding Nahla. Yes, Gabriel and the nanny were arguing, he felt like his parenting skills were under attack again.

"Gabriel can't believe how out of control this situation has become. He is hopeful that criminal charges won't be filed against him."

The altercation allegedly happened last Wednesday when the nanny went to pick Nahla up from school only to be told that she had been off sick for the past two days.

On arrival at Gabriel's home, the pair apparently got into a heated argument because no one had told her that Nahla didn't go to school.

The nanny claims that Gabriel shouted at her and shoved her out of the door so hard that she hit the wall. She claims that the abuse was on-going and has apparently now resigned from the job.

Gabriel is under investigation for misdemeanour battery and child endangerment.

All parties involved with the well-being of Nahla be interviewed by the Los Angeles Department of Children & Family Services over the next few days.

However, no change was made in the custody arrangements after yesterday's hearing and a decision will be made on Monday.