Originally appeared on E! Online
Sia is facing a new legal battle with Dan Bernad.
Amid their divorce proceedings, the “Cheap Thrills” singer’s estranged husband has filed for sole custody of their 19-month-old baby boy Somersault “Summi” Wonder Bernad, according to documents obtained by E! News Oct. 28.
Bernad, 47, alleged in the filing that Sia, 49, struggles with drug addiction and is unfit to care for the toddler, who they welcomed in March 2024, less than a year before announcing their split following two years of marriage.
“Sia is a serious and immediate danger to our son,” Bernad wrote in the docs, alleging that the singer had “deliberately and repeatedly concealed” being hospitalized for two weeks in September. “She tested positive for barbiturates and benzodiazepines, with no legitimate medical explanation.”
For reference, benzodiazepines are a class of sedative-hypnotic drugs typically found in anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax and insomnia treatments like Klonopin and Valium, according to Cleveland Clinic. Similarly, Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotic drugs often used to treat insomnia and prevent seizures.
And Dan isn’t only requesting sole custody due to his ex’s alleged drug use, further alleging in the filing that Sia violated their joint legal custody agreement by denying him visitation and “unlawfully” transferring written power of attorney of Summi over to his nannies.
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“Sia’s conduct is reckless, dangerous and demonstrates Sia’s utter disregard for Summi’s safety and well-being, and for court orders,” Bernad said in the filing. “Sia is an unfit and unreliable parent struggling with substance abuse and addiction, rendering her incapable of providing safe or stable care for Summi.”
Additionally, the former radiation oncologist — who left his career behind when the former couple got married in 2022 — said that his professional background makes him the “only safe and reliable parent for our son.”
He added, “I am a doctor, young, healthy and have no criminal history or drug or alcohol addiction issues.”
In response to Bernad’s request, Sia — also mom to two sons she adopted in 2019—denied allegations that she was abusing drugs, calling the accusations “entirely unfounded and misleading,” according to docs also obtained by E!.
“It is true that I struggled with drug and alcohol issues more than fifteen years ago,” the “Titanium” singer said in her filing. “I have been fully sober for over six months and working my program which includes weekly testing and a sober companion.”
Additionally, she alleged that her “primary care and custody” of Summi was in effect since before they separated.
“Dan does not work. Bernad enjoys a nightclub, party lifestyle,” Sia alleged. “This is another reason for my concerns about Dan as a responsible and appropriate parent. This was pattern throughout our brief marriage.”
She added, “When he was in Los Angeles, Dan would spend limited periods of time with Summi and mostly in the presence of nannies.”
E! News reached out to reps for Sia and Dan for comment but has not heard back.
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