Anna Nicole Smith’s Lawyer: Father of Child?

By: Shannon Gossage

Stern told Larry King on his show Lary King Live that he had fathered Smith’s daughter and that she was the "ray of hope" in their lives following the unexpected death of her 20-year old son Daniel on September 10. Stern said, "Right now we have to somehow get through what we’re going through, and I’ll tell you, our baby is the one ray of hope." Stern also said the couple had named their daughter Dannie Lynn Hope.

It was originally rumored that Smith’s photographer ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead was the father of her baby. Birkhead claims he has asked for a paternity test and is waiting for Smith to grant permission. He says he whole-heartedly believes that he is the baby’s father and accuses Smith’s "entourage" and Stern for keeping him "out of the loop." He said being shut out "hurts" and "you kind of go numb because you don’t understand."

As for Stern’s alleged relationship with Smith he said, "We love each other and it’s been going on for a very long time and because of my relationship as her lawyer, we felt it was best to keep everything hidden. And we’ve done a pretty good job of that." He claims he and Smith plan to remain in the Bahamas out of the limelight and start a new life together. He claims the two will marry "at some point." Stern said, "I have loved her for quite some time and hopefully the feeling’s mutual." He also said Smith has been "a great mom, a very attentive mom" despite losing her son.