The daddy battle is intensifying in the Anna Nicole Smith case. According to news reports, photographer Larry Birkhead, who claims to be the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s newborn daughter, Dannielynn Hope, just filed papers in a California court to establish paternity and obtain legal custody of the child.
This of course follows on the heels of the death of Smith’s son and the claim by Smith’s attorney, Howard K. Stern that he is the baby’s father. (It’s been reported that Stern and Smith held a commitment ceremony in the Bahamas last week.) Various media outlets are now reporting that Smith has been served with papers in the Bahamas, detailing Birkhead’s quest to “seek the truth in paternity.” Birkhead’s attorney told reporters her client “believes beyond any doubt that he is the father and seeks a presence in this child’s life.” Birkhead’s attorney went on to say that her client “is concerned for the health and safety of the child based upon drug issues and manipulation by a third party for purposes contrary to the interests of the child.”
On a happier baby and daddy note: According to PEOPLE magazine, former “Beverly Hills 90210” star Jennie Garth and husband actor Peter Facinelli have welcomed their third child, a baby girl.
The magazine reports the parents have named their latest bundle of joy, Fiona Eve Facinelli. She was born Saturday and weighed in at 7 lbs. 8 oz. Baby Fiona joins older sisters Luca Bella, 9, and Lola Ray, 3.
As for how daddy Facinelli (who starred in the FOX series “Fastlane”) is handling the fact that he is now outnumbered than ever by this latest female addition, he told who reporters that he “couldn’t imagine life without his girls.” In fact, in 2002 he told PEOPLE: “Whenever I have a bad day, I look in Luca’s eyes, and it makes it all go away.” Awwww…