Sia’s Estranged Husband Dan Bernad Seeks Full Custody of Their 19-Month-Old Son
Australian pop star Sia is facing renewed legal challenges as her estranged husband Dan Bernad has officially filed for sole custody of their 19-month-old son, Somersault Wonder Bernad, affectionately known as “Summi.”
Court filings obtained by PEOPLE on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, reveal that Bernad has accused the Grammy-nominated “Chandelier” singer of being an “unfit and unreliable parent struggling with substance abuse and addiction.”
The filing comes just months after the couple quietly welcomed their son in March 2024 and later separated in early 2025, leading to Sia filing for divorce in March after two years of marriage.
Dan Bernad’s Custody Allegations
In his declaration to the Los Angeles Superior Court, Bernad painted a troubling picture of Sia’s parenting, alleging that she delegated nearly all childcare duties to a team of nannies while maintaining strict control from a distance.
He claimed the singer’s household was “highly managed” and filled with staff, friends, and collaborators who “competed for time with Summi,” often infringing on his ability to bond with their son.
Bernad further accused the singer of being unstable and inconsistent, asserting that she did not take a “primary caregiving role” and instead relied heavily on others to care for the child.
He is seeking sole legal and physical custody, regular drug testing for Sia, monitored visitation three times a week, and mandatory co-parenting classes for six months.
Additionally, Bernad — who admitted he is currently unemployed — is requesting $77,245 per month in child support, plus full coverage of all childcare, tuition, and uninsured medical costs.
“As of April 1, 2025, I have been unemployed and have no source of income because Sia ceased all funding of our joint venture, Modem Medicine, including my salary,” Bernad stated in the filing.
Sia’s Response: “I’ve Been Fully Sober for Over Six Months”
In a responsive declaration filed on Tuesday, Oct. 28, Sia denied all accusations of current substance abuse, emphasizing that she has been fully sober for six months and is actively participating in a recovery program.
“I have been fully sober for over six months and working my program which includes weekly testing and a sober companion,” the 49-year-old singer wrote.
She also explained that her decision to separate from Bernad stemmed from his “nightlife and recreational drug-use lifestyle,” which she believes is “incompatible with a healthy environment” for their son.
“My recovery has been a cornerstone of my life and one of the primary reasons I chose to separate from Dan,” she continued.
Child Pornography Investigation Allegations
In her filing, Sia also raised serious concerns about Bernad’s past, alleging that he had been under investigation for possession of child pornography by both the LAPD and the Department of Child and Family Services earlier in 2025.
While both investigations were ultimately inconclusive and closed, Sia said the findings “do not appease my concerns of Summi spending unsupervised time with Dan.”
She claimed that since their separation, Bernad has never had custody of Summi for more than two hours at a time and that all visitations have been supervised by professional childcare providers.
Bernad has denied any involvement with the alleged contraband, claiming that Sia and her assistant “planted” a hard drive to manipulate the situation in her favor. He alleged that he had “never even visited the storage unit” where the evidence was reportedly found.
Financial Dispute and Accusations of Motive
Beyond custody, Sia has accused Bernad of being financially motivated in his pursuit of custody, noting that she has already paid him $300,000 since their split.
“Every request by Dan for additional custodial time has been directly tied to financial gain rather than a genuine effort to foster a meaningful parental relationship with Summi,” Sia alleged.
Bernad’s new filing also follows a previous petition in which he requested $250,856 per month in spousal support, along with $300,000 in legal fees and $200,000 for forensic accounting costs.
Inside Sia and Dan Bernad’s Relationship
Sia and Bernad married in 2022 and largely kept their relationship private. The couple’s union began as a creative partnership — Bernad worked with the singer on her wellness brand Modem Medicine — before evolving into a romantic relationship.
The pair quietly welcomed their first child in March 2024, naming him Somersault Wonder, though Sia affectionately refers to him as “Summi.”
Sia also adopted two teenage boys in 2019, a move she has described as “one of the most important experiences of her life.”
What’s Next in the Legal Battle
The court is expected to review custody and visitation recommendations in the coming months. Both parties have requested ongoing supervision during interactions with their son.
Attorneys for both Sia and Bernad have declined to comment on the pending case.
As of late October 2025, Sia continues to focus on her recovery, sobriety, and parenting, while Bernad remains unemployed and is seeking continued financial support from the singer.
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