The relationship between ANS and her mother reminds of a girl I know. She used to say horrible things about her mother and how she disliked her and wished her dead. When the mother died, the girl was heartbroken and later turned out much of what she had said was not true or greatly exaggerated and she could not explain why she said some of the things she did.
I saw ANS's mother on Nancy Grace right after Daniel's death. She appeared to sincerely care for ANS and was crying and said how worried she was that ANS's life was in danger. This does not mean she was the perfect mother, but she did raise Daniel, which means the could not have been too estranged.
Another good post!
http://www.netglimse.com/celebs/bio/anna_nicole_smith.shtml
Biography shows ANS left Billy with someone when she "relocated to Houston, sans Billy, and began working at topless bars".