It has been announced after months of speculation that Larry Birkhead is the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby daughter Dannielynn.
Mr Birkhead made the results of a DNA test known outside a Bahamas court yesterday. Mr Birkhead said "I'm excited…I'm happy to start a life with my daughter...Things are moving quickly here."
Howard K Stern, the man listed as Dannielynn's father on her birth certificate and the girl's sole parental figure since Anna Nicole's death two months ago, said that he would not contest Birkhead's right to custody.
"My feelings for Dannielynn have not changed," Stern said. "I'm not going to fight Larry Birkhead for custody. I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure that he gets sole custody."
While Birkhead has been established as the father of Dannielynn, a hearing to determine custody is set to take place on Friday.
Smith's estranged mother, Virgie Arthur, filed paperwork last week asking to be named the child's guardian. But speaking after yesterday's announcement, Arthur and her lawyer struck a more conciliatory tone, saying she just wanted to play a role in the child's life.
"All I care about and all I ever cared about is the safety and well-being of my little granddaughter, Dannielynn," Arthur said.
