Madonna jets out of Malawi with adopted son after visit

Lilongwe, Malawi – Madonna jetted out of Malawi on Sunday after a six-day visit to the impoverished homeland of the toddler she wants to adopt, carrying the boy in her arms as she boarded her plane.

Madonna and her husband, the film producer Guy Ritchie, took custody of David Banda last October after finding him in an orphanage. Critics said the 48-year-old star used her celebrity status to circumvent Malawian adoption laws – allegations she denies.

The 20-month-old toddler waved to the bodyguards and driver who had escorted him during the visit. Madonna, wearing her now-familiar straw hat, did not look back as she disappeared into the silver jet, with her daughter Lourdes following.

The star and her entourage spent their time visiting orphanages, projects for street children and agricultural development programs as well as opening a new day care center funded by her charity, Raising Malawi.

Madonna, who lives in London, made one visit to the Home of Hope orphanage, where David lived after his death of his mother in childbirth. There was no sign that Madonna had met with Yohane Banda, the peasant farmer who placed his son in the orphanage saying he was too poor to care for him.