Madonna's ex Guy Ritchie is saddened by adoption ruling

Guy Ritchie has admitted he was saddened by his ex-wife Madonna's failure to adopt a second Malawian child. A High Court judge in Lilongwe rejected the singer's bid to adopt four-year-old Mercy James as Malawian law states prospective parents should be a resident for 18-24 months before an adoption is granted. This law was waived when Madonna and Ritchie adopted David Banda in 2006, before the pair divorced last November after eight years. In a statement, Ritchie said: "Madonna is a fantastic and loving mother who cares deeply about her own children, and children who may need additional help and support. "I fully supported Madonna in her decision to apply for this adoption, and I am saddened that her application has been rejected. She is motivated only by being a caring parent who seeks to share some of the advantages and opportunities that her life has given her. "This time it did not work out, but there will be other opportunities and I wish her well in them. She is a great mum." Judge Esmie Chondo said that allowing the singer to adopt Mercy could place other children at risk by opening the doors to child traffickers.

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ITN | April 6, 2009

Tags:. .lilongwe. .malawian. .saddened. .mum. .waived