In a ruling in L.A. Friday morning, a judge refused to grant an emergency DNA test to prove the paternity of Anna Nicole's daughter, Dannielynn Hope, despite a request by Larry Birkhead, one of the men claiming to be the 5-month-old girl's father.
Anna Nicole's body, however, will be preserved until a hearing on February 20.
According to Access Hollywood, Larry Birkhead's lawyer, Debra Opri, also asked the judge to take custody of Dannielynn, who is currently staying in the Bahamas with a friend of Anna Nicole's. The judge also denied this request.
Outside the courtroom, Ron Rale, a lawyer for Howard K. Stern (who is also claiming paternity of the child), said "It is despicable that we would have an emergency notice and appear right now."
I'm actually really surprised the judge ruled against both requests. In a case this tragic, I would think finding a permanent home for the daughter would be of the utmost importance. Plus, I think waiting to bury or cremate Anna Nicole seems much intrusive than expediting a request for her DNA.
At first, I was a bit confused as to why they needed the mother's DNA to prove paternity, but apparently it has something to do with preventing the baby from being switched with another child. Talk about drama -- geesh.
--Lindsey
