A Malawian judge held a closed-door hearing today on Madonna's application to adopt a second child from this southern African nation but delayed ruling on the matter until Friday, a court official said.
The 50-year-old pop star spent about an hour in court today in the Malawi capital of Lilongwe. Court official Thomson Ligowe confirmed that Madonna's adoption application was adjourned until Friday but said he could not reveal any more details.
Court docket listed only the child's name, Chifundo James, which means "Mercy" in the local language. It was not immediately known whether any of the girl's relatives were present at the courthouse Monday.
A Malawian welfare official and another person involved in the adoption proceedings say the girl is about 4 years old and her unmarried mother died soon after she was born. The girl's father is believed to be alive but no other details were available. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the case is considered sensitive.
Madonna has not commented on the adoption application and did not speak to reporters today morning.
{{/usCountry}}Madonna has not commented on the adoption application and did not speak to reporters today morning.
{{/usCountry}}The adoption of her 3-year-old son, David, whom she had met at a Malawian orphanage in October 2006, was finalized last year.
If the latest adoption goes through, Madonna would become a single mother of four. She also has an 8-year-old son, Rocco, with ex-husband Guy Ritchie and a 12-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from a previous relationship.