Madonna's Mercy family to sue over break of visit vow?
Tuesday, 08 February 2011
Madonna might face legal action from her adopted Malawian daughter's family, after they claimed the singer broke her promise to let them see the little girl.
Madonna, 52, is said to have guaranteed them regular contact with Mercy James, 5, after she adopted the tot from an orphanage in June 2009.
But they have not seen her since, even though Madonna has made two return visits to Malawi with the little girl.
Now they have enlisted the help of the country's leading civil rights group CILIC to prepare a legal case.
The child, whose 16-year-old mother died five days after giving birth, was raised by her grandmother and uncles, but placed in the care of the Kondanani Children's Village when they could no longer look after her.
'Mercy's family have met me several times over the past year and they have been very upset,' the Daily Mail quoted Emmie Chanika, director of CILIC, as saying.
'They have a strong recollection of being told that they would be able to see Mercy and have regular contact with her - and that when she is an adult she will return to live with them in Malawi.'
'I believe they have a case in law because there appears to have been a verbal contract between them and Madonna's representatives.'
'I have already consulted a lawyer on their behalf. Obviously there could be problems as there is no written agreement, but the lawyer is looking into it.'
'I am preparing a letter which will appeal to Madonna's lawyer Alan Chinula to intervene on the family's behalf and ask Madonna to kindly let Mercy meet her family.'
'None of us desires an embarrassing and expensive court case which could humiliate or inconvenience Madonna. The best outcome would be a proper agreement to let Mercy meet her family on a regular basis,' Chanika added.
Madonna, 52, is said to have guaranteed them regular contact with Mercy James, 5, after she adopted the tot from an orphanage in June 2009.
But they have not seen her since, even though Madonna has made two return visits to Malawi with the little girl.
Now they have enlisted the help of the country's leading civil rights group CILIC to prepare a legal case.
The child, whose 16-year-old mother died five days after giving birth, was raised by her grandmother and uncles, but placed in the care of the Kondanani Children's Village when they could no longer look after her.
'Mercy's family have met me several times over the past year and they have been very upset,' the Daily Mail quoted Emmie Chanika, director of CILIC, as saying.
'They have a strong recollection of being told that they would be able to see Mercy and have regular contact with her - and that when she is an adult she will return to live with them in Malawi.'
'I believe they have a case in law because there appears to have been a verbal contract between them and Madonna's representatives.'
'I have already consulted a lawyer on their behalf. Obviously there could be problems as there is no written agreement, but the lawyer is looking into it.'
'I am preparing a letter which will appeal to Madonna's lawyer Alan Chinula to intervene on the family's behalf and ask Madonna to kindly let Mercy meet her family.'
'None of us desires an embarrassing and expensive court case which could humiliate or inconvenience Madonna. The best outcome would be a proper agreement to let Mercy meet her family on a regular basis,' Chanika added.
From ANI
In my opinion the child was in an orphanage because her family could not care for her.so now the child has a great new life and happy..she not need to ever go over there again. When the child grows up why would she go back..that is bunch of nonsense. Little girl will be always taken care of here no need to go back.
Posted by: [email protected] | Friday, 18 February 2011 at 01:19 AM
Go onto YouTube and search "Madonna & Mercy: What really happened?" Apart from the shock journalism it's a very interesting watch & I'm certain the family feel cheated if she hasn't taken her back to visit them.
I agree with the papers, loads of trash, but the quotation marks don't lie 99% of the time, so therefore it's probably based on some level of truth.
Posted by: James | Sunday, 13 February 2011 at 04:24 PM
Before Madonna came into the picture, I wonder if the family visited Mercy while she was at the Kondanani Children's Village.
Posted by: Jimmy | Thursday, 10 February 2011 at 10:01 PM
It amazes me that this girl had a family, but she was living in an orphanage. If they gave her up to be cared for in that orphanage, they should leave her alone and let her live in peace now that she is adopted. I'm sure Madonna is not denying Mercy's past. But when the time is right and she can understand more, she will return to Malawi to explore her roots.
Posted by: angel love | Thursday, 10 February 2011 at 02:55 PM
OKAY..... first off, this is reportedly from the daily mail. This is pure trash. SECONDLY..... If madonna promised something to the family, I'm sure she is going to uphold her part of the bargain. She;s been back to Malawi severla times and from what I hear she is planning another trip next year. I'm sure that while whe was there looking after her ventures, she got the family together.
I wonder if someone is seeking money from this. Just saying.......
Again... GET a life!
Posted by: scott | Thursday, 10 February 2011 at 01:00 AM
**** Off!! I am sick and tired of 'legal action', court case!!!!! Phew!!!! Do not disturb Madonna pls..
Posted by: Fancy Queen | Wednesday, 09 February 2011 at 07:50 AM
When she is andult she will return to live in Malawi??!! Oh come on, go back to the Land of Oz... What won't people do for money...
Posted by: paninaro | Tuesday, 08 February 2011 at 10:56 PM
The family doesn't see the tension's that will be created?
Posted by: eAdd1013 | Tuesday, 08 February 2011 at 08:07 PM