Tuesday, 9 October 2007

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Madonna struggles to secure adoption of baby Mercy

Little girl's uncle is determined not to let his niece go

Madonna faces fresh problems over her adoption of Malawi-born Mercy James – who she had hoped to bring back to the UK as a sister for adopted son David Banda.

Mercy’s defiant uncle John Ngalande says there’s no way he’s handing his neice over to Madonna, 49, or any other British woman - claiming he wants to look after her himself.

‘I would rather be poor and struggling with Mercy,’ he claims, ‘than for her to go and live with a big white star far away.’

The 20-month-old girl was put into care after her mother died and her young father couldn’t cope.

But now John, 36, has revealed that he expects Mercy to live with him – and is dead against her leaving Malawi.

‘We were told when Mercy went into the orphanage that…she would come back to us after six years,' he explains.

Madonna is still battling to officially adopt David – the process is far from complete and she still faces a further two inspections by officials.

‘It is a very stressful time for Madonna and Guy,’ a friend of the couple tells The People.

‘As far as they’re concerned they are offering two parent-less children the chance of a happy, loving home and a better future. Yet they are facing problems at every turn.’

Alison Adey