Last night in an interview on “Larry King Live,” Howard K. Stern claimed to be the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s newborn baby. I don’t think he’s telling the truth and here’s why:
If this is true, why did Anna Nicole initially tell Larry Birkhead that he was the father? Birkhead insists that he’s the biological father, and his actions and statements seem to show that he genuinely believes this. The timing of his announcement right after the death of Anna’s son is incredibly inconsiderate, but that doesn’t make his message any less valid. Birkhead told Larry King in a statement:
“I’ve been told by Anna Nicole Smith that I’m the father of her newborn child. I have proof of it. I’ve attended multiple doctors’ appointments, participated in the planning of this child up until a minor disagreement more than midway through the pregnancy. In order to eliminate the back and forth claims regarding paternity, I am requesting that a DNA test take place in the U.S.”And Stern insisted that he’s the real father, due to timing:
KING: Another e-mail from Karen in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, “Why has Anna Nicole been so secretive about who the father of her new daughter is?”STERN: Well, I’m going to tell you that right now. Anna and I have been in a relationship and 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 that it was best to keep everything hidden. And we’ve actually done a pretty good job of that.
KING: Sure have. So, you are the father?
STERN: Yes, sir.
KING: By the way, have there been an DNA tests taken?
STERN: Proud father.
KING: What?
STERN: I said proud father.
KING: Were DNA tests taken?
STERN: Well, based on the timing of when the baby was born there really is no doubt in either of our minds.
KING: Did Daniel know that you were the father?
STERN: He did. He did.
Anna Nicole gave birth by cesearian section, making it more difficult to tell the baby’s age. It is possible to estimate the conception date in the early stages of the pregnancy through a sonogram, but this is not a precise method.
He focused on bashing Birkhead for selling his story, and used the weak argument that if Birkhead were the real father he would claim paternity legally. Stern is a lawyer, Birkhead is not. Birkhead has repeatedly asked for a DNA test, even if he doesn’t have the means or wherewithal to file suit to get one. If Stern is indeed Danilynne’s father, wouldn’t he want to clear that up with a DNA test right away?
KING: If it got to a legal case, if supposedly there were lawsuits involved, would you take a DNA?STERN: Yes. I mean, at this point if he was able to file a lawsuit and do it, I don’t know why he hasn’t done it through legal means. I don’t understand, you know, why he would choose to go through the media to do what he’s done.
But at this point I’m not going to do him any favors. I think the lawsuits down the line will probably be coming, is going to be coming from us.
KING: But if it had come to that — if it came to that you would take the test because you’re convinced you’re the father, why not?
STERN: Well, if legally compelled to do so, I will. But I’m not going to do any favors for him right now. It’s unforgivable to me the way that he — when everything that we’re going through right now, that he would go to the media and not wait until Daniel has been put to rest.
I just for the life of me, I can’t understand that. And if he truly felt that he were the father, I just think he would have handled it very differently.
Now why would Stern be doing Birkhead a favor by getting a DNA test if it proves that Stern’s the father? Doesn’t it seem like there’s no favor involved if he’s the true father of the baby?
This is the most suspicious part of all. These two took up premanent residence in the Bahamas shortly before Anna Nicole Smith’s baby was due. Why would they do that? Birkhead claims that it is more difficult to establish paternity in the Bahamas. I’m not a legal expert, but he seems to be right. It seems to be the case that it is extremely difficult, if not impossible for the father to register paternity in the Bahamas without the mother’s consent
As a general rule, the father of the child born out of wedlock is unable to register his paternity of such a child [in the Bahamas]. He must go with the mother or, not at all, unless, in certain jurisdictions, if the mother is dead or cannot be found. The inability of the father of an out of wedlock child to register his paternity without the mother’s cooperation can result in the child not knowing his or her parent and being denied family relations with his or her paternal family.(Source is a Word Document from a lecture given at UNICEF, “The rights of the Child and the Caribbean” If you have a more reliable source or a legal background and would like to provide additional information, please comment with it.)
Now why would Howard K. Stern refuse to voluntarily take a DNA test and then move with Anna to the Bahamas – where establishing paternity is notoriously difficult – if he was the real father of her baby?
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmam9naXy4tNiYoJicn6PBoMDHoqWkl5ikxKK%2Bw5iimKukmr%2Bvq8islq2glZSzosDHnqmYp5aUrq%2B6wJilopufobK0q8GambJn