Malawi Judge Denies Madonna’s Adoption Petition

By Sarah Harper

Published on April 07, 2009

A Malawi Judge ruled against Madonna's adoption of four-year-old Chifundo "Mercy" James, a Malawian child, claiming the adoption would violate Malawian residency restrictions on adoptions. The ruling is controversial, since the court approved Madonna's adoption of another Malawian child in 2006 despite her not meeting the residency requirement.

When Madonna first sought to adopt Mercy, Malawian authorities told the pop star that the child's parents were dead. Moreover, Mercy's surviving relatives approved the adoption. Since then, though, James Kambewa, a Malawian man, has claimed to be Mercy's father. The court's acceptance of his claim could be the final blow to Madonna's adoption hopes.

The case has also sparked widespread debate about the message celebrity and international adoptions send. Some in support of preventing the adoption claim that Madonna has used her wealth and status to manipulate adoption regulations.

After the ruling, officials returned Mercy to an orphanage.

Madonna, reportedly devastated by the ruling, is expected to appeal the ruling in Malawi's Supreme Court.

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