LONDON – Madonna said Tuesday she had acted according to the law in taking custody of a 1-year-old Malawian boy, responding for the first time to the fierce debate about the legality and morality of the planned adoption.
The pop star’s statement came after she was united with David Banda at her London mansion. Madonna said she hopes to make the adoption permanent following an 18-month evaluation period imposed by Malawi authorities.
“We have gone about the adoption procedure according to the law, like anyone else who adopts a child. Reports to the contrary are totally inaccurate,” Madonna said in the statement, issued via e-mail.
Madonna said she and her husband began the adoption process “many months prior to our trip to Malawi,” but she had not disclosed their intentions because she wished to keep the matter private.
“After learning that there were over 1 million orphans in Malawi, it was my wish to open up our home and help one child escape an extreme life of hardship, poverty and in many cases death, as well as expand our family,” Madonna said.
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