Howard K Stern Praises Larry Birkhead's Parenting Skills  4/14/07

Howard K Stern has given one-time paternity rival Larry Birkhead the thumbs up as a father after the first day of a custody hearing over Anna Nicole Smith's baby ended in a stalemate.

A Bahamas court adjourned the case yesterday (13Apr07) without reaching a decision on custody of seven-month-old Dannielynn.

Birkhead was named as the child's biological father on Tuesday (10Apr07) after a lengthy paternity battle - and he is expected to gain full custody of the baby.

And Stern, who has been acting as baby Dannielynn's guardian since Smith's death in February (07), is more than happy with Birkhead's parenting skills.

In a brief statement outside the courthouse, Stern said, "He's doing a great job."

He also revealed that nothing has been confirmed concerning custody of the child.

Stern has previously stated he won't be challenging Birkhead for custody of the baby, who is listed as his on her birth certificate.

Before yesterday's hearing, Birkhead and Smith's estranged mother, Virgie Arthur, had reportedly been working on a custody arrangement.

Birkhead has made it clear he has no plans to share custody.

Another hearing in the custody battle is scheduled for next Friday (20Apr07).