Former TV anchor Kelley Mitchell, who was gravely ill last February, is on the mend at her Miami Shores home. In between a series of hospitalizations, she says, she managed to do something she'd put off forever -- get married. Yup. Mitchell, 52, and longtime beau Kirk Wade, 48, WSVN-Fox 7's chief photographer, quietly tied the knot on March 16. Nothing fancy -- just a courthouse ceremony at the North Dade Justice Center. ``I am the ultimate procrastinator,'' laughs Mitchell, explaining she and Wade were ``engaged'' for 11 of their 15 years together.

No honeymoon, though. The next day, she was back at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she has been receiving treatment for various ailments. ``One day it's the gall bladder, one day it's the kidneys, one day it's the liver.'' She also battled breast cancer in '02.

Mitchell anchored at Channel 7 from '92 to '98, then did a reporting stint at WPLG-ABC 10. Her last gig was on WFTL-AM (850) as a talk show host. She has no immediate plans to return to work. ``Job No. 1 is just getting better.''

SECRET LIFE

Eric Sheppard, co-owner of a company that helped to develop Canyon Ranch Living in Miami Beach, just got hit with a paternity action. Linda Mondragon, 29, says she was Sheppard's paramour for three years and alleges he's the father of daughter Aiko, born on Valentine's Day '08.

Sheppard, 40, is not named on Aiko's birth certificate ``because he wanted to keep his fatherhood . . . a secret,'' Mondragon claims in court papers. Sheppard is married: He and wife Jennifer, 39, have two children.

Mondragon says she was ``forced to move to New York during her pregnancy . . . in order to hide her growing stomach'' -- or risk Sheppard cutting her off financially, according to her petition, filed by attorney Gerald Kornreich.

Sheppard ``has gone so far as to plan for a fictitious father'' to avoid ``bearing responsibility in writing'' for the child,'' Mondragon says.

She wants him to submit to DNA testing. She also wants child support and ``child-related expenses consistent with the parties' lifestyle,'' her petition says. She and the baby live in a $3 million apartment at Canyon Ranch ``supplied by the father and his business,'' WSG Development, but Sheppard has ``threatened to . . . evict [them].''

Sheppard's other children ``live a life of great wealth,'' Mondragon's petition says. Aiko is entitled to enjoy the same ``good fortune.'' Sheppard has a luxury home in Bal Harbour, yacht, ``numerous high end automobiles, including two Bentleys, a Phantom and a Range Rover,'' Mondragon says. Sheppard gave her a ``large monthly allowance'' that helped pay for a nanny.

Mondragon once worked in real estate sales, and holds state licenses as a ``body wrapper'' and ``facial specialist.''

Mondragon wants Sheppard to pay for Aiko to attend private school ``starting in pre-day school'' -- and camp. She also wants the Canyon Ranch condo ``or comparable housing.''

Says Sheppard's lawyer, Marsha Elser: ``This is not just a suit alleging paternity. This is a vicious attempt, characterized by greed that seems to know no boundaries, to harm Mr. Sheppard and to embarrass his family . . . It is absolutely clear that Ms. Mondragon's allegations are not made to advance a child's interest. This is all about her.''

WSG Development, named as a defendant, is represented by attorney Eugene Stearns. Circuit Judge Jose Rodriguez has the case.

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