A judge has rejected Madonna’s request to adopt a second child from Malawi because of a requirement that prospective parents live in the southern African nation for at least 18 months, another judge and a lawyer said Friday.
The judge who confirmed the decision did not make the ruling, but saw it. The lawyer was present when the ruling was made. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case.
Madonna’s efforts to adopt 3-year-old Chifundo “Mercy” James had drawn criticism from some activists who said the little girl would be best off with relatives.