Larry BirkheadAnna Nicole Smith’s mother Virgie Arthur is hoping that Larry Birkhead will share custody of Anna Nicole’s daughter Dannielynn with her - but he’s said he won’t share custody because of what it implies.

The results of recent DNA tests yesterday confirmed that Larry was the father of seven month old Dannielynn and while Virgie’s attorney Roberta Mandel insists she will not challenge him for full custody, she does want to have a key role in the baby’s life.

Mandel said yesterday: “We’re looking to work with Larry. In this jurisdiction [the Bahamas], there can be double or two guardians and she is the only relative on the maternal side of the child.”

“We think it would be in Dannielynn’s best interests to know her mother and her mother’s family, to interact with that family, to know her grandmother.”

Virgie added: “All I care about is the welfare of my grand-daughter Dannielynn.”

“I am thrilled that Howard K Stern will no longer have custody of a child he has always known was not his.”


The three parties are expected to return to the Nassau court on Friday for the next stage in the ongoing custody hearing - custody isn’t automatically granted to Larry even though he’s the father - but Howard has said he will not challenge Larry for custody now that paternity has been confirmed.

Larry told this morning’s Today show: “We might go from one fight to another, but I’m hoping that’s not the case because, you know, there’s only one dad, and I have no problem with anyone that has good intentions being allowed to visit the baby and see the baby and be a part of the baby’s life.”

He added he won’t share legal custody with anyone else: “It would imply that I’m unfit as a parent, which I’m not. I’m looking forward to giving Dannielynn everything that she needs and all the love and support.”

Larry is believed to have spent yesterday evening with his daughter and Howard at their nearby home. Sources claim that if Larry is given custody, he will spend two to four weeks in the Bahamian residence so Dannielynn can get used to him before he takes her to his home in Los Angeles.