Madonna takes adopted son home

Oct 13, 2006, 14:05 GMT

Madonna has left Malawi with her newly adopted African son.

The London-based singer was given legal approval to adopt one-year-old David Banda - nicknamed Davie - after filing for an interim adoption order at the Lilongwe High Court yesterday (12.11.06).

Madonna - who will share custody of the boy with her husband Guy Ritchie - whisked Davie home to meet his new nine-year-old sister, Lourdes, and brother, Rocco, six, on her private jet today (13.10.06).

The boy's father Yohane has given his blessing to the couple.

He 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."

Since Monday (09.10.06) Davie - whose mother died a week after his birth - has been living with Madonna and Guy at the luxury Kumbali Country Lodge, after the pop star fell in love with him during a visit to the orphanage where he lived last week.

Kingston Kilembe, director of child welfare services at the Ministry of Gender, Child Welfare and Community Services, confirmed Madonna and her husband had began the adoption process.

He said: "They have followed the normal processes. After the judge has ruled, they are going to take the child."

Madonna is allowed to take the child out of the country for up to a year. After this time a court will rule on how well Davie has settled in and then decide if the 48-year-old singer can be granted adoption.

(C) BANG Media International