Madonna Adopts Baby Boy According to His Father  10/11/06

Pop superstar Madonna has adopted a one-year-old boy in Malawi, according to the child's father.

A photograph published on the front page of British newspaper The Sun shows the Hung Up singer with a small boy, believed to be David Banda, sitting in a sling tied to her back.

Last week (ends06OCT06), Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg moved to quash reports she was set to adopt a child, insisting, "She's kind of adopting an entire country of children.

"She is building an orphanage and child care centre and is involved in other initiatives geared toward helping children orphaned by AIDS through the Raising Malawi organization.

"She has not adopted a baby despite reports that she has."

But Yohame Banda, 32, insists Madonna has adopted his son, whose mother Marita died shortly after he was born.

He says, "I am the father of David, who has been adopted.

"I am very, very happy because as you can see there is poverty in this village and I know he will be very well looked after in America.

"We are told David will be coming back regularly to know his roots."

Following his mother's death, Yohame claims David was cared for at the Home Of Hope Orphan Care Center in Mchinji, Malawi before he was taken to Madonna's exclusive Kumbali Lodge, near the capital city Lilongwe.

David's grandmother Asinei Mwale adds, "The director of the orphanage came here yesterday and told us that David has been adopted by a famous American singer.

"I am very glad for him because having grown up as an orphan myself, I know how tough life can be."

Madonna's representatives have refused to comment on Banda's claim.