After months of speculation, multiple court dates, large legal teams and a media circus, the paternity of Dannielynn Stern has been revealed.
Larry Birkhead, Anna Nicole Smith's former boyfriend, has been named the biological father of the baby, who was born in September.
Smith, who died earlier this year, listed her companion Howard K. Stern as the baby's father, which Birkhead contested almost immediately.
Appearing victorious outside the Bahamian courthouse, the photographer said, "I hate to be the one who told you this, but: I told you so. I'm the father."
An emotional Birkhead continued during the press conference, "Thank you for your support. Thank you for the people who got me this far. Thank you very much. My baby's gonna be coming home pretty soon."
Dannielynn is currently in Howard K. Stern's custody, living in the home he shared with Smith. Birkhead said the baby will be going to live with him, adding, "Things are moving quickly here, and we'll see what happens."
In true Anna Nicole Smith fashion, the court cases have not stopped. Birkhead's lawyer, Emrick Knowles, would not reveal future legal issues, only saying, "We'll be back in court on Friday in the afternoon. We've got some other issues to deal with... [The judge] hasn't made any ruling about custody yet."
Even Stern, who has kept Dannielynn behind closed doors, gave Birkhead his best wishes and vowed to help him be united with his daughter.
He said, "We're gonna do what we can to make sure that the best interests of Dannielynn are carried out. And I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure that he gets sole custody."
For the first time in the Anna Nicole saga, all parties are agreeing. The late model's mother gave her approval of the result, saying, "I'm happy that Dannielynn will know who her real father is. I look forward to working with Larry raising my granddaughter."
Dannielynn was born in the Bahamas on September 7, just three days before her half-brother Daniel died.
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