Do not allow Madonna to adopt your twins, family are warned
THE family of the four-year-old twins who Madonna wants to adopt from Malawi were last night urged not to let the children go.
The warning came from the relatives of Mercy James, who was adopted by the singer eight years ago in Malawi.
In a message to the twins’ family, Mercy’s uncle, Peter Banet, said: ‘You may never see your children again, never have contact with them. It will be as if your children have died. That is the pain we feel every day.’
A judge is still considering the fate of Esther and Stella Mwale, who Madonna is seeking to adopt from an orphanage.
Mr Banet signed consent papers in 2009 allowing Madonna to adopt Mercy, the daughter of his 14-year-old sister, Mwandida, who had died days after giving birth.
The family now say they were tricked into believing that Mercy would stay in contact with them and even return home one day.
They maintain that they bitterly regret letting Madonna take her. Recalling the decision he made in 2009, Mr Banet said: ‘I put my hand up in court, swore an oath and signed the adoption consent. I can never forgive myself for that and there is sadness and disappointment throughout my family. I take the blame. I am ashamed.’
He said the family had not seen Mercy since the day Madonna took her to New York later that year. Mercy, now aged 10, has been taken to Malawi on ‘cultural visits’ by Madonna but her family has never been informed of the trips.
Fisherman Mr Banet said he would advise the twin girls’ father, Adam, that if he hands his children over to Madonna, he must be prepared to lose them permanently.
The girls are staying at an unknown location with carers while their future is decided.