Debra Opri, the lawyer who represents Anna Nicole Smith’s former boyfriend Larry Birkhead, asked a judge to order Howard K. Stern to come to California and provide a DNA sample last Tuesday. The lawyer said after a closed hearing that she wants the DNA to find out if Howard Stern is the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s baby. Howard Stern is on the birth certificate of the baby.
Attorney Debra Opri revealed outside court, “Put up or shut up, that’s what we’re asking for.” Superior Court Judge Robert Schnider declined to make Stern a part of the paternity court action. Attorney Debra Opri revealed that the judge would review the matter in two weeks after considering the law more closely.
Howard K. Stern was living with Anna Nicole Smith at the time of her death. Howard and the baby, Dannielynn, live in the Bahamas.
Attorney Debra Opri revealed that Larry Birkhead needs a paternity ruling from California to present in the Bahamas to strengthen his case for claiming paternity of the child. She said, “Without it, we have a weak argument,”
Ron Rale, a lawyer of Howard Stern argued against the DNA request. He pointed out that Stern’s name is already on officially listed as the father. He said, “Howard Stern doesn’t have to go to Larry Birkhead for anything.”
The judge originally asserted jurisdiction in the paternity suit in California because Anna Nicole Smith had connections in Los Angeles and Larry Birkhead claimed the baby was conceived in California.
Anna Nicole Smith, 39, died of unknown causes last February after she collapsed at a hotel in Florida.
A court in the Bahamas is dealing with custody issues involving the baby. A judge has barred Howard K. Stern from taking the baby out of that country until a custody ruling is made. Larry Birkhead attended the hearing in Los Angeles. He said that he was confident he would be declared the father. He revealed, “I’ve been putting a nursery together, so I’m smiling. I’m in a good mood.” When he met the baby in the Bahamas, Larry described the day as “one of the greatest things in my life.” He said, “That was my delivery room just to get to meet her.”
It was reported that three men claiming to be the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s baby. The three men are Howard K. Stern, Larry Birkhead and Frederic von Anhalt. Frederic von Anhalt, the husband of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, also reveals he may be the father of the baby.