Custody Issue Settled in Blake Case

By Stephen M. Silverman

07/26/2002 at 01:00 AM EDT

Actor Robert Blake's daughter, Delinah Blake, has won custody of 2-year-old Rosie Blake, the daughter that the actor fathered with his late wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, whom he is accused of killing. The Associated Press reports that on Thursday Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner H. Ronald Hauptman granted Delinah Blake, a psychology instructor, permanent custody of her half-sister, after having been granted temporary custody in May. Bonny Lee Bakley, 44, was shot to death on May 4, 2001, outside an Italian restaurant in Southern California where she and her husband had just dined. Robert Blake, 68, best known for his starring role in the '70s cop series "Baretta," was arrested April 18 at Delinah's house and charged with Bakley's murder, though he has denied all charges. He remains jailed without bail as he awaits trial. Bakley's sister, Margerry Bakley, asked Hauptman to postpone his ruling so she could prepare a legal challenge, but he declined.