Singer Sia and her estranged husband Daniel Bernad are locked in a heated custody battle over their one-year-old son, Somersault “Summi” Bernad. The dispute escalated this week after both parties filed competing claims in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing one another of being “unfit” parents.
Sia, 49, argues her ex-husband’s emergency request for full custody should be denied, calling it “outrageous” and “unsupported by evidence.” Bernad, a radiation oncologist, counters with allegations of substance abuse and parental neglect — claims Sia calls “false and weaponized.”
Court Documents and Allegations
According to court filings obtained by USA TODAY on October 28, Sia stated that Bernad’s motion “improperly seeks to disturb the status quo” by attempting to remove their son from her primary custody.
Bernad alleges that Sia’s hospitalization in September revealed “positive drug tests for barbiturates and benzodiazepines,” substances that can act as sedatives and depressants. He also accuses her of “gatekeeping” his visitation rights.
Sia responded that her past addiction struggles occurred more than fifteen years ago and emphasized she has been “fully sober for over six months,” undergoing weekly testing and counseling. Her legal team, led by attorney Laura Wasser, argued that Sia has provided stable care since Summi’s birth and that Bernad’s petition “lacks credibility.”
Key Quotes and Reactions
“It is true that I struggled with drug and alcohol issues more than fifteen years ago,” Sia wrote in her declaration. “I have been fully sober for over six months and working my program which includes weekly testing and a sober companion.”
Bernad, meanwhile, requested that the court impose random drug testing for Sia and limit her to three monitored visits per week, also asking for $77,245 per month in child support, citing financial dependency.
Safety Concerns and Closed Investigations
The case intensified after reports surfaced that Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) had investigated “inappropriate images involving minors” allegedly found on Bernad’s storage device.
Although both investigations were later deemed “inconclusive” and closed, Sia’s team insists these findings justify supervised visitation.
“While I understand the investigations have been closed, this does not appease my concerns of Summi spending unsupervised time with Dan,” Sia stated in her filing.
Upcoming Hearings
The next custody hearing is expected to be scheduled in November 2025, where the court will review evidence from both parents and determine whether the current arrangement remains in the child’s best interest.
Both the LAPD and DCFS have yet to issue public comments. USA TODAY has reached out to attorneys for Sia and Bernad for further clarification.
If you or someone you know struggles with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
