Birkhead said he would not share custody of Anna Nicole Smith's baby daughter, one day after a court ruled he was the biological father of the child.
LOS ANGELES: Photographer Larry Birkhead said on Wednesday he would not share custody of Anna Nicole Smith's baby daughter, one day after a court ruled he was the biological father of the child.
Birkhead, an ex-boyfriend of former Playboy model, stripper and reality television star Smith who died of an overdose in February, said he hoped to avoid a further legal wrangle for custody of seven-month Dannielynn.
"We might go from one fight to another, but I'm hoping that's not the case because, there's only one dad, and I have no problem with anyone that has good intentions being allowed to visit the baby and see the baby and be a part of the baby's life," he said.
A court in the Bahamas said on Tuesday that DNA tests showed Birkhead was "99.9999" per cent certain to be the father of Dannielynn, shattering the claims of Smith's long-time partner and advisor Howard K. Stern.
Stern said after the ruling he would now back Birkhead's claims for custody of the child, who could one-day inherit a fortune if legal action against the family of Smith's billionaire oil tycoon ex-husband is successful.
Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur, however, indicated she would seek a share of custody of Dannielynn. A further hearing to discuss custody arrangements is to take place in the Bahamas on Friday.
Birkhead said he was not willing to entertain a shared custody arrangement, however.
"It would imply that I'm unfit as a parent, which I'm not," he said. "I'm looking forward to giving Dannielynn everything that she needs and all the love and support."
Meanwhile, Birkhead compared the nail-biting moment when the DNA test results were revealed in court to winning at the Oscars.
"It was almost like being an Academy Award with a sealed envelope and they release the name, and you are waiting to hear," said Birkhead, who filed his paternity claims shortly after Dannielynn's birth in September.
"To have that heavy weight off your shoulders is just incredible. It was just a magical moment."
Birkhead, who reportedly visited his daughter at Stern's home on Thursday, changing her diaper and spoon-feeding her apple sauce according to reports, is now looking forward to being a full-time father.
"I'm looking forward to giving Dannielynn everything that she needs, and all the love and support, and to being a dad," he said.
"I can't wait for that day. She has lots of toys and a nursery ready for her. She has everything she's going to need and all I have to do is give her the love, and that's what I'm ready and prepared to do."
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