Madonna Releases Adoption Statement  10/18/06

Madonna has slammed press reports she and husband Guy Ritchie broke African adoption law to become the legal parents of a one-year-old Malawian boy, insisting the process was not as speedy as everyone believes.

In a statement released yesterday (17OCT06), the pop superstar explains the adoption process took months but she was careful to keep her plans a secret.

Madonna and Ritchie were granted interim adoption of little David yesterday (17OCT06), after the motherless tot was granted a visa that allows him to travel with them.

But the adoption has sparked a massive debate in Africa and Madonna's current home, England, where officials and gossips claim the singer and her movie maker husband were given special treatment as they went about the process of becoming parents to the "orphan".  The child's father and grandmother remain in Malawi.

Some experts have even suggested the adoption may be illegal.

But, in the statement, Madonna charges, "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. The procedure includes an 18-month evaluation period after which time we hope to make this adoption permanent. This was not a decision or commitment that my family or I take lightly.

"I am overwhelmed and inspired by my trip to Malawi and hope that it helps bring attention to how much more the world needs to do to help the children of Africa.

"My heartfelt thanks for all the good wishes I have received and I hope the press will allow my family some room for us to experience the joy we feel to have David home."