This one is no longer a mystery.
Videos by FanBuzz
Former NBA star Paul Pierce has officially acknowledged he is the father of a two-month-old child with Princess Santiago, according to court documents obtained by TMZ. He is now seeking joint legal and physical custody.
So yes, the question has shifted. Fast.
Santiago, who filed a paternity suit back in January in California, is pushing for sole legal and physical custody. She is also asking for nearly $30,000 per month in child support, along with $100,000 in legal fees and close to $19,000 in pregnancy-related expenses.
That is where things start to get tense.
She made it a point to cite Pierce's NBA earnings, which she claims approached $200 million over his career, as part of the reasoning behind the financial request. From her side, this is about support that matches the reality of his career.
From Pierce's side, the move for joint custody suggests he wants a significant role moving forward.
Santiago, though, is not backing down. She told TMZ she went through the pregnancy alone, without financial help or in-person support. Now, with DNA results confirming paternity, she is questioning the sudden shift.
"For nine months, I went through this pregnancy alone," she said. "Now that the DNA test confirms he's the father, he's seeking joint custody?"
That pretty much sums up where things stand.
The legal process is underway. The emotions are clearly not going anywhere.
