Madonna's Adoption Bid Delayed as Controversy Grows
Madonna
Madonna's bid to adopt her second child from Malawi was delayed until Friday amid growing concerns and opposition from the child's family and charities.
The 50-year-old singer appeared before a judge in a closed hearing on Monday in the Lilongwe for about an hour, The Associated Press reports.
"The court adjourned the proceedings to Friday to give the judge enough time to write his ruling," said assistant court registrar Thomson Ligowe.
Madonna wants to adopt Mercy James, an orphaned 3-year-old girl, whom she met during a visit in 2006. Mercy's grandmother, Lucy Chekechiwa, is reportedly opposed to the adoption, accusing the Material Mom of "stealing" her granddaughter. "Why doesn't this singer pick other children? It is stealing," Chekechiwa told British tabloid The Sun. "I want to go to court, I won't let her go."
The girl's unmarried 18-year-old mother died soon after she was born, according to the AP.
Madonna, who arrived in the African nation on Sunday, finalized her adoption of her son, David, 3, nearly a year ago. She has two other children, Lourdes, 12, and Rocco, 8, from other relationships.
