Madonna files adoption papers

Update: Madonna and Guy received interim approval, which allow them to take the boy home with them. Yohame Banda, the child’s father, talked with them at the courthouse and said, "They are a lovely couple…She asked me many questions. She and her husband seem happy with David. I am happy for him. Madonna promised me that as the child grows she will bring him back to visit.” As we previously reported, David’s mother, Marita, died late last year due to medical complications, and has since been raised in an orphanage as his father could not care for him.

We reported on Tuesday that Madonna’s publicist was changing her tune about her client and Guy Ritchie’s supposed new son. Apparently, there was good reason for it! According to the Associated Press, Madonna and Guy filed adoption papers at Lilongwe High Court in Malawi on Thursday, a report which Kingston Kilembe, director of child welfare services in the Ministry of Gender, Child Welfare and Community Services, confirms.

However, Madonna is not yet reading to confirm the adoption of her new 1 year old son herself – her rep still says, "I still have nothing I am able to officially confirm at this time."

Source: AP

Comments

The Associated Press reported another article saying the baby’s name is David.

- Kristy on October 12th, 2006

she can’t make any official announcements because any child she may be in process of adopting is not legally her child. Further, any such announcement might jeopardize the process and approval of the government.

- brave on October 12th, 2006

Is this the “orphan” who still has a father and grandmother? Good for the child, I guess, if he gets some money/education out of it, but adopting a non-orphan just because his family is poor does smack of imperialism. Re-naming a kid who’s already a year old only adds to the impression.

- Lara on October 12th, 2006

Lara, there is no confirmation yet that this child is the child that the gossip sites and papers are all over. But just to help clarify, international adoptions can have many different facets involved, including relinquishment by a living parent (not grandparent – it is the parent’s right), —especially in a very impovershed country. There are choices made by birth/biological parents that only they know the true and real reasons behind. Poverty and the inability to provide gainfully for the child is often a major role. This is an ultimate act of love and hope for the child.

Congratulations to the Ritchie family for expanding their family in such a beautiful way (adoption)!

- rebekalynn on October 12th, 2006