CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Malawi's chief social welfare official has paid a visit to Madonna's London home, part of a long-delayed assessment into whether the pop idol can adopt a little boy from the African country.
Simon Chisale was spotted leaving the singer's home Wednesday afternoon and clutching a blue binder, but he refused to comment and attempted to hide his face when approached by the Associated Press.
Madonna's New York-based spokeswoman did not immediately reply to an e-mail requesting comment.
Chisale is filing a report on the suitability of Madonna and filmmaker-husband Guy Ritchie as adoptive parents for toddler David Banda, who was plucked from a Malawian orphanage during a visit there by Madonna last autumn.
In October, Madonna and Ritchie were granted temporary custody of David, then 13 months old, but that could be revoked if it's found that David is being treated differently from their other children or if the toddler's rights are being violated in any way.
The assessment originally was due to have been made by Penston Kilembe, the director of Malawi's child welfare services. However, he was removed from the case following allegations that he had solicited money from the singer for his trip to London.
On Monday, Adrina Mchiela, a top civil servant in the ministry responsible for child welfare, said Madonna was paying tuition and living expenses for a ministry staffer studying in Great Britain, and had offered to sponsor others.
The allegations renewed the concern that the singer had used her wealth and celebrity status to manipulate the adoption process.
Kilembe has denied any wrongdoing, and in a statement earlier this week Madonna said there had been no interference with government officials. (AP)
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Joe Biden sends queer lawmakers & LGBTQ+ allies to Paris Olympics
July 24 2024 12:08 PM
Kamala Harris rides wave of Democratic energy at kickoff event in Wisconsin
July 23 2024 3:36 PM
'Devastated:' A six-week abortion ban will go into effect in Iowa next week
July 23 2024 2:28 PM
Four hours, 44,000 Black women, and one Zoom call
July 23 2024 2:17 PM