Thea is responding to an “outrageous” motion by her estranged husband Daniel Barnardo seeking full physical and legal custody of their young son.
The 49-year-old “Titanium” singer has “provided no evidence whatsoever” that the safety of her 1-year-old son, Somersault “Sami” Barnado, is “in jeopardy” and that Barnado’s request for emergency custody “should be denied in its entirety,” according to an October 28 filing in Los Angeles Superior Court obtained by USA TODAY.
Thea’s filing states that Barnado is “unjustly attempting to disrupt the status quo by demanding an abrupt and unreasonable cancellation of the parties’ custody arrangement by separating Sumi from Thea, who has been her primary custodial parent since her birth, and placing her in the sole care of Dan.”
The document, filed in response to Barnado’s complaint and reviewed by USA TODAY, alleges that “Thea is a serious and imminent danger to her son” because she is “an inadequate and untrustworthy parent who struggles with substance abuse and addiction.” He also said she was “monitoring” her time with the toddler.
Barnado, a radiation oncologist who later founded a ketamine clinic with the singer, claims that Sia was secretly hospitalized for two weeks in September for a suspected allergic reaction, but that she “tested positive for barbiturates and benzodiazepines without any valid medical explanation.”
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, barbiturates and benzodiazepines are depressants that have sedative and hypnotic effects and are typically used to treat anxiety and seizures. Both are controlled substances that can be prescribed by a licensed medical professional, according to the National Institutes of Health.
This information was included in a report prepared by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services that revealed the hospitalization, he wrote.
But Sia refuted his claims about her addiction, calling them “baseless and misleading” and “an attempt to weaponize my past sobriety journey.”
“It is true that over 15 years ago I struggled with drug and alcohol problems,” she said in a statement. “I have been completely sober for over six months and am working on a program that includes weekly testing and a sobriety buddy.”
Barnado asked the judge to force Thea to submit to weekly drug tests as well as random monthly drug tests. He also asked for supervised visitation between mother and son three times a week and child support of $77,245 per month because he is “completely financially dependent on Thea.”
Sia’s attorney Laura Wasser said in a filing that the Grammy-nominated singer has paid about $300,000 since their breakup. The two married in December 2022, but have been living apart since March, when Sia filed for divorce.
“Sumi is under Thea’s protection and remains safe.”
Sia’s court filings call into question Barnado’s suitability as a father, declaring that “Sumi has always been and remains in the safe custody of Sia.”
Shea’s attorneys wrote that Barnado “has not demonstrated the necessary competency or even basic familiarity to meet the developmental, emotional, and daily care needs of children.” Barnado’s court documents include dozens of surveillance reports from his visits with Sumi.
Thea requested a professionally supervised visit in response to an investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services into pornography related to minors allegedly found on Barnado’s personal hard drive.
“While I understand that the LAPD and DCFS investigations have been inconclusive and are now closed, this does not alleviate my concerns that Sumi will spend unsupervised time with Dan,” Thea wrote.
USA TODAY has reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, and attorneys for Shea and Bernardo for comment.
Court filing: ‘inappropriate images’ found in storage unit Daniel Barnado ‘never visited’
Mr. Barnard addressed this issue in his filing, claiming that a “hard drive containing inappropriate images” was discovered by Mr. Shea’s assistant in a storage unit “obtained by Mr. Shea and his employees,” which Mr. Shea “never visited.”
The Department of Children and Family Services’ investigation was closed on Sept. 23 as “inconclusive” and “unsubstantiated,” according to a letter attached to the application. In another email dated Oct. 2, a detective with the LAPD’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit appears to say the case is “closed/suspended due to a lack of evidence of a crime at this time.”
If you or someone you know needs help battling substance abuse addiction, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
