Paternity Test Ordered for Smith's Baby

'I Feel Great,' Says Jubilant Birkhead
By CHRIS FRANCESCANI


A DNA test was ordered by a Bahamian court judge on Tuesday to determine who is the real father of Anna Nicole Smith's infant daughter, Dannielynn.

Virgie Arthur, the late Playboy playmate's mother, confirmed to ABC News that a test was ordered in a closed court hearing on the Bahamian island of Nassau, though she declined further comment on the day's proceedings.

Larry Birkhead, the man many believe to be the father of the 6-month-old baby, was jubilant as he emerged from the courthouse.

"I feel great,'' he said, adding, "it's been a good day in court for me.''

Howard K. Stern, who is listed as the father of the child on her Bahamian birth certificate, also declined to comment after court.

It remains unclear whether he will comply with the order. Should he challenge the order, the paternity mystery could drag on for another month or more. But if he complies and allows the baby's DNA to be tested, the vexing question of who fathered Smith's baby daughter will finally be answered.

The paternity test is one of a series of legal battles regarding the untimely death last month of Anna Nicole Smith.

There's also the custody fight. Smith's mother Virgie Arthur was in a Bahamian court last week trying to wring custody of the baby away from Stern, whom she says is an unfit father, if a father at all.

And while Bahamian and Florida police have both insisted that their ongoing probe into Smith's death is not a murder investigation, new evidence they turned up was enough to delay a Florida medical examiner from announcing his findings last week. Bahamian police met with Florida investigators last week at the hotel where Smith died.

McCREADY’S EX DEMANDS PATERNITY TEST

Country music singer MINDY McCREADY’s reportedly abusive ex-boyfriend is demanding a paternity test to determine whether or not he is the father of her six-month-old son.
BILLY McKNIGHT claims McCready wants him to be a proper father to son ZANDER, but he says he has serious doubts about whether the boy is his biological child. McKnight served 30 days in jail for abusing McCready after being arrested and charged with attempted murder after a domestic dispute in May 2005.

McCready learned that she was pregnant last summer (05) and admitted she tried to kill herself with prescription medication in a Florida hotel room. She gave birth to her son in March (06) and now is even considering reconciling with McKnight. McKnight says isn’t sure he’s the father, but is more than willing to step into the role if he has proof of paternity.
He tells American publication National Enquirer, "She took off with a con artist when I was in jail, and I don’t know what was going on in her life at the time. "She wants me to be a father to Zander and has even talked to me about getting back together as a family.
"I look forward to it, but I have to know for sure the child is mine."