Madonna Adopts

By: Shannon Gossage

Despite numerous denials and "no comments" from Madonna’s camp it has been confirmed by a Malawi high court that Madonna and Ritchie adopted a one-year old boy named David Banda. Liz Rosenberg, Madonna’s rep, said last week, "Despite reports stating otherwise, [Madonna] has not adopted a baby boy." According to people.com the boy’s father, a Malawi village chief, the director of the orphanage, an African judge, a pastor, and the secretary for the Ministry for Gender and Child Welfare has confirmed the adoption.

Madonna and Ritchie reportedly filled out adoption papers at the courthouse before picking the boy up at the orphanage in Thursday afternoon. The deputy registrar reportedly told reporters, "Madonna and the husband filed their papers for an interim order this morning at Lilongwe High Court, and the judge gave the ruling at 2 p.m. this afternoon." Madonna and Ritchie will have to appear in court to determine whether or not the adoption will be approved. Ligowe said, "[Madonna] has been put on observer status to see how she will relate to the child, and people from social welfare will have to observe that. The court will depend upon their observations to make a final decision." The hearing will be required to take place with two years.

Yohane Banda, the boy’s father, had to send David to the orphanage after the boy’s mother died from complications after his birth. Said Banda, "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." Madonna has a nine-year old daughter, Lourdes, from her relationship with choreographer Carlos Leon. She and Ritchie also have a five-year old son named Rocco.