Court OKs Dad Larry to Bring Dannielynn Home! Orders Virgie to Pay Birkhead $3k in Legal Fees; Two Men and a Baby Thwart Grandma Baby Grab
NASSAU, Bahamas, April 27 (AP) — A Bahamian court cleared the way Friday for Anna Nicole Smith’s ex-boyfriend to leave the island chain with their infant daughter, rejecting an appeal by the mother of the former reality TV star.
The judge ruled that a court in the United State would likely have the final say in the custody dispute between Virgie Arthur and Larry Birkhead, who was confirmed as the 7-month-old baby’s father after undergoing DNA testing.
Arthur was challenging a judge’s decision this week to allow Birkhead to leave the Bahamas with Dannielynn. Her attorneys argued that Birkhead might not return as directed for another private hearing in the case June 8.
“I’m happy because this is nonsense really,” Birkhead told The Associated Press outside the courthouse. Birkhead, a 34-year-old Los Angeles photographer, said he plans to leave for the United States once he fixes Dannielynn’s birth certificate to list himself as the father.
In refusing to consider Arthur’s application, a three-member appeals panel noted that both she and Birkhead wanted to take the child to the United States.
“So what is the problem, what is the fear? The child is going to the States anyhow no matter who gets custody,” Justice Emmanuel E. Osadebay said.
The court also ordered Arthur to pay Birkhead $3,000 in legal costs.
Smith, who gave birth to Dannielynn in the Bahamas in September, died in February from an accidental drug overdose in Florida.
Smith’s last companion, Howard K. Stern, who had been listed as the girl’s father, patted Birkhead on the back after the ruling and said he was preparing himself emotionally to hand over custody. Stern has been living in the oceanfront home he shared with Smith.
“It’s difficult for me, but since Larry made it clear he wanted to be the father, I knew it was inevitable,” Stern told The Associated Press. “I just want Dannielynn to have a good life, and I’m confident Larry will give it to her.”
Stern said he hopes to be involved in the girl’s upbringing but that was up to Birkhead. “I’m not requiring written papers or court orders,” he said.
During the hearing, Arthur took notes with a flower-tipped pen in a spiral notebook. “I’m writing prayers,” she told AP. “I’m talking to God.”
Arthur left the courthouse after the ruling without speaking to reporters.
A lawyer for Birkhead, Emerick Knowles, said his client hopes to leave for the United States once he secures a passport for Dannielynn but plans to return for the hearing in June.
“He’d be silly not to,” Knowles said. “He has every intention of complying with the law.”
The girl could inherit a fortune if lawyers resolve challenges over her mother’s estate in her favor. When Smith died of an accidental drug overdose in a Florida hotel room, lawyers were still wrangling over the estate of her late husband, the Texas oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II, estimated to be worth more than $1 billion.
Smith gave birth to Dannielynn in September only days before her 20-year-old son Daniel died of a drug overdose at her bedside.
April 27th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
I am so happy this part of the saga is over. If Virgie has a wee bit of sense left, she would stop now. I surely hope she’s not going to try and challenge anything in the States. She’d done. Stick a fork in it and move on. Maybe since she’s losing in everything, she will pack it up and go home. When the attorneys ralize there’s no baby, then the money on her behalf will stop coming. No one is going to keep putting out big bucks and getting nothing in return. Where is she getting $3000? The Bahamas is going to have to hold her hostage to get all the money she owes down there. Maybe they will put a lien on her passport. lol
April 27th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Hi Art, I was on the go today and did not have access to television or news materials so I was thrilled when I came here to your site and received the good news from you.
You have done a great job getting the truth out about this case and alot of people including me are very grateful.
April 28th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Virgie is what everyone thought she was from the beginning. A fat money hungry slob who ended up without a thing. I’m so glad they slapped that pig with a fine. Who’s going to pay it? Is she in the middle of writing a book about her beautiful daughter too? One she hasn’t seen or talked to in 12 years!! What could she possibly say that hasn’t been said already? A pack of lies that’s what. O’Quinn should pack it up and go on back home also. There’s nothing left Virgie. You lost all the way around. Anna hated you, and Larry has Dannielynn and you just blew any chance of having a relationship with Dannielynn after the stunt you pulled. She actually tried to say that Larry was putting Dannielynn in danger if the courts allowed her to go with him. All this time she has called Howard a murderer she had the nerve to try and get the Bahamian court to let her stay with Howard until the next hearing. This woman is amazing and it’s so obvious too all that she is after the money. She will never get her fat hands on any of it. She may by writing a book that will be the laughing stock of the year. God I feel so sorry for Anna and the fact that she actually had that for a mother. What a disgrace to motherhood. Art thanks for reporting nothing but the truty.
April 29th, 2007 at 12:22 am
Why didn’t the Bahamian Judge give Full Custody to Larry???Why did he order that “BFP” Virgie pay $3,000 costs???
Did he consider the costs that will be occurred by all parties who have to return on June 8th???
Dannielynn has to be “shunted” back and forth between two countries…the outcome is already known! I smell some “Kudos” going on…hmmm! Enuf!!!!!!!!!
April 29th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Hi Art,
Let me start by saying know need to be so mean,evreyone involed with this has had a hard time from Larry, Howard, and grandmother but most of all that pretty little girl Dannielynn,,who just needs all to love her not for the money her moma is gone and now needs the love of all ,Stop this fighting over her come together and be there for her raise her the way her moma would have wanted. Larry God Bless you and baby dannielynn for a great future,with many Blessing and joy to both of you it is not going to be easy but there will be lotts of happy times ahead for you,love her the best way you know how kisses everyday and tell her how much youand her moma loves her so she feels safe.Kepp picture of her mom in here room so when she is growing up she see her everyday,and dont let anyone say mean things,and most of all dont let her out os your sight there are to many mean people in the world ………much love from a mother who cares……..