HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Madonna may be a single mother now, but that isn't stopping her from adding to her family.
The 50-year-old pop star has reportedly packed her bags for Malawi where she intends to adopt a second child from the impoverished African country, according to The Associated Press.
An official at the Malawi welfare department told AP that Madonna had already filed adoption papers, while another individual familiar with the filing said the case may be heard as soon as Monday. Madonna is believed to be traveling to Malawi this weekend.
A rep for the singer declined to comment on the report.
Madonna previously drew criticism when she adopted her 3-year-old son, David Banda, from the country in 2006. Malawian law requires would-be parents to reside in the country for one year before adopting, a rule that was essentially broken in her case.
Madonna's latest plan would also be controversial since Malawi does not typically grant adoptions to single or divorced parents, an issue after her recent divorce from Guy Ritchie. However, a Malawi welfare official said that "each case is considered on merit."
In a recent interview with Malawi's The Nation, Madonna said she was considering another adoption, but only if she had "the support of the Malawian people and government."
Madonna, who also has two biological children, Lourdes 12, and Rocco, 8, is believed to be adopting a baby girl from the country.
Madonna first visited Malawi during a charity mission and to film a documentary on the poverty and AIDS crisis there. She runs the charity Raising Malawi and is also establishing a school for girls there.
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