A Los Angeles judge has denied Dr. Daniel Bernad’s emergency custody request for their son, Summi, citing insufficient evidence of immediate danger. The court found no exigency for the request, which was based on claims of the singer’s alleged drug use and parenting concerns. The decision was made amid ongoing divorce proceedings between the high-profile couple. Sia has refuted the allegations, maintaining her sobriety and asserting that Bernad’s motives are driven by financial and strategic interests. The case continues to unfold, with both parties engaging in legal battles over custody and child support, highlighting the complexities of high-profile divorce litigations.
Dr. Bernad, an oncologist, filed the request earlier this week, alleging that Sia, the singer known for her hit singles, was an unfit and unreliable parent struggling with substance abuse and addiction. He claimed she had hospitalization records and drug test results that indicated her addiction, and that she had transferred written power of attorney over Summi to her nannies, violating their joint custody agreement. However, the court’s findings indicated that the parties had already entered into a stipulated legal custody and interim physical custody arrangement on August 1, 2025, which outlined the legal custody and interim physical custody of their son.
Sia, in response, has maintained that she has been sober for over six months and has repeatedly agreed to drug testing, countering the claims made by Bernad. She also pointed out that the Los Angeles Police Department’s investigation into claims of child pornography on Bernad’s hard drive had been deemed inconclusive and was closed on Oct. 2. The court’s findings indicated that the parties had already entered into a stipulated legal custody and interim physical custody arrangement on August 1, 2025, which outlined the legal custody and interim physical custody of their son. The court’s decision to deny the emergency custody request was based on the lack of sufficient evidence to support such a move immediately, and it was stated that the request could be resubmitted on the court’s regular RFO calendar.
Bernad, in his filing, sought over $77,000 per month in child support, alleging that Sia was irresponsible with child care costs. However, Sia has stated that she has already paid Bernad approximately $300,000 in child support since filing for divorce in March. She has also accused Bernad of trying to weaponize her past sobriety journey, which she claims has been well-documented and resolved. Sia further accused Bernad of dredging up decades-old history to serve his own financial and strategic interests, at the expense of his child and the child’s mother. With the court denying emergency custody, the case is likely to continue with both parties pursuing their respective legal strategies in an ongoing custody battle.