Madonna adoption appeal backed by Mercy's family

THE FAMILY of the little girl Madonna is trying to adopt said they give the singer their full backing.

Madonna's application to adopt four-year-old Mercy James from a Malawian orphange was rejected by a court last week.

The Material Girl has reportedly instructed lawyers to fight the adoption decision, which was rejected due to the 50-year-old star not living in the African country for 18 months.

She reportedly said: "Do whatever you can to get me my Mercy, I can't imagine her going back to the orphanage."

Mercy's family initially opposed Madonna's bid to adopt the girl but relented after negotiations with government officials and the 'Miles Away' singer's Raising Malawi charity.

Her uncle Peter Baneti says he is "sad and surprised" at seeing Mercy's chance for a better life taken away and welcomes an appeal against the court ruling.

He said: "I'm just very surprised that this has happened. And I'm so sad for Mercy. This was her chance for a better life and I think this has been taken away from her now."

But he and another uncle slammed the girl's father for publicly declaring he wants her back.

James Kambewa claims he had no idea four-year-old Mercy James was still alive until he heard that Madonna was trying give her a home, but now wants to be part of her life.

Security guard James, who fathered Mercy with now-deceased 15-year-old
Mwandida Maunde, said: "Now that I know Mercy is alive I am willing to support her.

"Mwandida's parents were furious that I had messed up their daughter. They caused hell for me so I left town.

"I am afraid to approach her family because of what I did to their daughter, but I will see what I can do."

However, Mercy's relatives are furious with his reappearance.

Mr Baneti said: "Where was he all this time? He wasn't there when his girlfriend was pregnant, he didn't even attend Mwandida's funeral when she died eight days after giving birth to Mercy. We don't think he even knew she had a baby."

Another uncle, John Ngalande, added: "If he cared he should have attempted to find out the fate of his daughter. We can't accept him coming into Mercy's life simply because she is now famous. We are angry with this boy."