A Bahamian court cleared the way Friday for Anna Nicole Smith’s ex-boyfriend to leave with their infant daughter Dannielynn, rejecting an appeal by the mother of the former reality TV star.

The judge ruled that a court in the United State would likely have the final say in the custody dispute between Virgie Arthur and Larry Birkhead, who was confirmed as the 7-month-old baby’s father after undergoing DNA testing.

Arthur was challenging a judge’s decision this week to allow Birkhead to leave the island chain with Dannielynn. Her attorneys argued that Birkhead might not return as directed for another private hearing in the case June 8.

"I’m happy because this is nonsense really," Birkhead said outside the courthouse.

Birkhead, a 34-year-old Los Angeles photographer, said he plans to leave for the United States once he fixes Dannielynn’s birth certificate to list himself as the father.

The court also ordered Arthur to pay Birkhead $3,000 in legal costs.

Smith’s last companion, Howard K. Stern, who had been listed as the girl’s father, patted Birkhead on the back after the ruling and said he was preparing himself emotionally to hand over custody. Stern has been living in the oceanfront home he shared with Smith.

"It’s difficult for me, but since Larry made it clear he wanted to be the father, I knew it was inevitable," Stern said. "I just want Dannielynn to have a good life, and I’m confident Larry will give it to her."

Stern said he hopes to be involved in the girl’s upbringing but that was up to Birkhead. "I’m not requiring written papers or court orders," he said.

During the hearing, Arthur took notes with a flower-tipped pen in a spiral notebook. "I’m writing prayers," she said. "I’m talking to God."

Arthur left the courthouse after the ruling without speaking to reporters.

Virgie probably needs a stiff drink after hearing the news.

Virgie Arthur has filed an appeal, attempting to block Larry Birkhead’s ability to take baby Dannielynn to the U.S.

Arthur has objected to a judge’s ruling allowing Birkhead to take his little girl to the States, providing that he returns with his baby for a June 9 custody hearing.

Arthur’s appeal is unusual to say the least, since she is a grandmother who herself lives in the U.S. Ironically, she is the one who argued that Anna and Daniel be buried in Texas and not the Bahamas. Now, she wants Anna’s child to stay in the Bahamas.

There will be public court hearing tomorrow. Stay tuned.

What are the odds that Virgie would go away quietly if she got a big fat check in her grubby little hand?

Larry Birkhead can leave the Bahamas with Dannielynn, at least for now.

A judge has just cleared the path for Birkhead to come to United States with one string attached, he must return with Dannielynn for the full custody hearing in June.

Sources say that Virgie Arthur objected to the ruling and could appeal, but that appeal may be too late. Birkhead wants to leave in the next few days.

Larry Birkhead just emerged from a custody hearing in the Bahamas with a big smile on his face and said, "I gotta call my travel agent," suggesting that he was getting very close to taking daughter Dannielynn home.

Minutes later, Howard K. Stern emerged from the courtroom and slammed Virgie Arthur for holding up the custody process, saying that she "proved herself to be what Anna Nicole always told me."

The three parties were in the same room this morning, perhaps for the very last time, to determine custody. Virgie Arthur is seeking guaranteed visitation of Dannielynn and wants to be her guardian in the event of Larry’s death. While he didn’t go into specifics, Birkhead was visibly pleased with what transpired in the courtroom, but left some room open, saying he didn’t know whether he’d need "one seat or two."

Virgie slipped away without a word. (Source)

As Larry Birkhead’s custody hearing looms with grandma Virgie Arthur standing largely in the way, TMZ has dug up an interesting family tree, turns out Virgie liked her stepbrother a whole lot.

Here’s the deal: Virgie’s mom, Paralee, married a guy named Melvin and had Virgie. In another part of Texas, a guy named George William Tacker got together with this chick named Betty Jo and had a son named David Luther Tacker. Then Paralee and George got married, so Virgie and David became their stepkids. They were all one big happy family, maybe too happy, because Virgie hooked up with her stepbro to produce David Luther Tacker, Jr.

So, David Sr. is Virgie’s stepbrother and her baby daddy.

Even though George and Virgie are not related by blood, would you have a baby with your step brother? Does this count as incest?

Are Virgie’s moral values an issue in her bid for joint custody of her grand child Dannielynn?