Madge's plans to adopt Malawian girl in jeopardy

London, Aug 18 : Queen of pop Madonna's plans to adopt a Malawian baby girl have received a setback after the little girl's uncle raised objections.

Madge and hubby Guy Ritchie had been planning to adopt three-year-old Mercy James, but her uncle John Ngalande, who been visited by adoption officials twice, has refused to give away the child.

"They were telling us a famous lady is interested in adopting our girl. They told us how another Malawi kid has had his life transformed by her. I don't want that attention. We want an ordinary life," the Sun quoted John, as saying. Ngalande, who lives in Zomba city, 60 miles from Mercy's orphanage, said that the baby was put there after her mum died when she was nearly one "and there was nobody to buy milk".

He added that Mercy was the only reminder his mum has of her late daughter.

Malawi director of child welfare Penstone Kilembe confirmed that officials from Madonna's Raising Malawi charity had visited Mercy "but there is nothing official".

He said relatives must be consulted, but that special cases apply for abandoned children.

ANI