Posted on 04/10/2007 3:56:16 PM PDT by NRA2BFree
NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) - DNA tests prove it: Larry Birkhead is the father of Anna Nicole Smith's million-dollar baby. "I told you so!" the late Playboy Playmate's former boyfriend said Tuesday upon emerging from a closed court hearing. He added: "My baby's going to be coming home pretty soon."
Birkhead, a 34-year-old California photographer, then hugged his rival, Howard K. Stern, who has been caring for baby Dannielynn since Smith's sudden death in February.
The hearing was a pivotal moment in the battle over who gets custody of the girl, who could inherit a fortune from the estate of Smith's late husband, J. Howard Marshall II. Although Birkhead is the father, Stern's name is on the birth certificate. Another custody hearing was scheduled for Friday.
Stern, who was Smith's lawyer and later became her companion, said he wouldn't fight for custody, but a lawyer for Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur, indicated she might. The judge scheduled another hearing for Friday in the pink colonial courthouse to discuss who will raise the girl, who could inherit hundreds of millions of dollars.
Stern said he loved the baby despite the DNA results and would support Birkhead.
"I'm obviously very disappointed, but my feelings for Dannielynn have not changed," he said, adding of Birkhead: "I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure he gets sole custody."
Birkhead had been fighting for custody of Dannielynn even before Smith's death.
"Nothing's been determined except parentage and I'm the father," Birkhead said. "It's been a long road and I'm just happy to have this behind me."
A crowd of about 250 people, many of them tourists, cheered from behind police barricades when Birkhead, clutching a piece of paper, announced the DNA test results. The court's DNA expert, Dr. Michael Baird, confirmed it.
"Essentially, he's the biological father," Baird said.
This tropical capital has been transfixed by the Anna Nicole saga since she moved here last year. Smith gave birth to Dannielynn in September, only to see her 20-year-old son Daniel die days later at her bedside from a lethal combination of drugs. Smith died in February at age 39 in Florida.
Many in the crowd took pictures of the impromptu news conference with cameras and cell phones. One man in the crowd wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the handwritten message: "I'm the baby's daddy."
Arthur, who had been estranged from Smith for years, said she wanted to be present in her granddaughter's life, but seemed appeased by the DNA results.
"I'm happy that Dannielynn will know who her real father is," she said.
The baby, whose full name is Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern, could inherit millions from Marshall's estate. Smith, a former model, had been fighting the Texas oil tycoon's family over his estimated $500 million fortune since his death in 1995.
I'm very happy for that little girl. He's her natural father and his love for her will be genuine. He was trying to get custody of the baby since before Anna died. He was afraid for her since Anna was always high on drugs while she was pregnant. I sure hope that baby didn't suffer from being addicted when she was born. Anna wouldn't have know it because she was always stoned. I think Larry will be a good father to her. He's fought a long and expensive battle to get her. Howard Stern was after the money.
Birkhead’s attorny billed him $600k.
WoW! That's ridiculous! I didn't know the amount but I tuned in one day when they (media) were talking about why she and Larry parted ways, and the reason for it. According to them, some of the things she was charging him for would probably be disallowed by the courts. There were some outrageous charges. For example, whenever she went out to eat in FL, she gave huge tips to the waitresses and she added them to Larry's bill. Things like that. I'd have fired her too.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,263584,00.html
the reason behind it seems to be...if/when he does come into any money(he’s basically broke)
the fees will probably be contested in court and will be reduced.
so, load it up now...
The courts allowed Howard Stern manipulate them for too long. He had no legal standing, and he was allowed to control things for too long. He was trying to circumvent USA courts from the start. Anna Nicole was the cash cow for Howard Stern. It was so tragic that people like Stern, and his parents, brother and sister were allowed to see the baby, when the real father and real grandmother were kept away. Stern’s parents are money grubbers as much as he was. Stern should have to pay for his farce.
Those of us who have seen “Inside Edition” can see how Anna Nicole was drugged and was putting on a show as she spoke.
Many parents have children on drugs and it is a painful thing at best.
You’re right. I didn’t know much about “mom”, so I assumed no one else did either. I think 5 marriages qualifies as poor parenting.
You’re right too. There are plenty of people who have been raised with less than ideal parents and they don’t all make the stupid choices that Smith did. An old debate (reminds me of the movie Trading Places).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.